Postcomm consults on an interim licence for Hays DX

Postcomm consults on an interim licence for Hays DX

Postcomm today began consultation on the proposed issue of a short term licence to Hays DX for the provision of niche postal services.

Hays has applied for a licence for three areas of work:

· collection, streaming and consolidation of mail from customers of Hays’ existing document exchange service
· a pre- 8am delivery service for customers of the company’s document exchange service sending letters to businesses in the London EC and WC, Edinburgh EH1 and EH2 and Manchester M1-M5 and M60 postal districts, and
· services to customers of Hays’ Mailine service in the insurance, travel, opticians’, licensed betting and retail financial services industries.

The proposed licence will last for one year and is intended to allow Hays’ customers to benefit from certain enhanced postal services, and for Postcomm to assess their effects, while Postcomm is developing its longer term licensing policy.

The consultation and text of the proposed licence can be found on Postcomm’s website www.psc.gov.uk. Copies can be obtained from Postcomm at 6 Hercules Road, London SE1 7DB.

Notes for Editors

In today’s document Postcomm says it is minded, subject to consultation, to grant a licence to Hays DX. It is of the view that:

· the terms of the licence will have no appreciable effect on the provision of a universal postal service in the UK
· such a licence would further the interests of users of postal services by promoting competition between postal operators, and
· the granting of the licence is consistent with Postcomm’s interim licensing policy.

The consultation period will close on 15 August 2001.

Postcomm – the Postal Services Commission – is an independent regulator. It has been set up to further the interests of users of postal services. Postcomm’s other main tasks are to:
· Seek to ensure a universal postal service at a uniform tariff
· Encourage competition in postal services
· Licence postal operators
· Control postal prices and quality of service
· Give advice on the future of the sub post office network.

Postcomm’s policies are steered by a board of seven commissioners, headed by the chairman, Graham Corbett CBE.

More information:
Chris Webb Tel 020 7593 2114
Mobile 07779 635881
E [email protected]

Jonathan Rooper Tel 020 7766 1210
Pager 07693 352732
E [email protected]

ENDS