Postcomm consults on interim licence for Speedmail

Postcomm today began consultation on the proposed issue of short-term licence to Speedmail International Ltd.

Speedmail wishes to provide mailroom services for businesses, collecting mail from Consignia, pre-sorting it and delivering it direct to individuals at clients’ premises. It also wants to deliver letters connected with publications to the London postcodes in which it already delivers.

Notes
The delivery of publications is exempt from licensing. However a licence is needed if a letter – such as an invoice or subscription renewal – is included. Up to now these have had to be sent by Royal Mail.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 26 June 2002. The consultation and text of the proposed licences can be found on Postcomm’s website www.postcomm.gov.uk. Copies are available from Postcomm at 6 Hercules Road, London SE1 7DB.

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 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.