Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans his Department has to ensure parliamentary oversight of reforms to the Universal Service Obligation.

Parliament has made Ofcom the independent regulator for the postal sector, and as such Ofcom has the responsibility to ensure the provision of the universal service obligation.

Ofcom proposed changes for reform of the universal service obligation in its consultation ending on 10 April. These proposals will not require ministerial or Parliamentary approval, but Ofcom remains accountable to Parliament and I am sure Ofcom will consider and balance all the inputs to its consultation to ensure Royal Mail is able to effectively serve all its customers in the years to come.