Mandelson Launches Mail Bill A Day Early

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Mandelson Launches Mail Bill A Day Early

5:54pm UK, Wednesday February 25, 2009
Lord Mandelson has introduced controversial proposals to part privatise the Royal Mail.

Royal Mail demonstration

There were angry protests in Westminster over the partial sell-off

Labour MPs are threatening a large revolt against the plans and Labour peer Lord Clarke of Hampstead, a former postman, shouted "shame on you" as the Business Secretary brought his Bill to the House of Lords for a first reading.

Lord Mandelson told peers the Bill would allow the restructuring of Royal Mail and its pension plan.

The pension deficit is thought to be over £6bn.

The measure will also change the way postal services are regulated, Lord Mandelson said.

Mandelson introduces post bill

Lord Clarke also took the rare step of shouting "not content" when Lords Speaker Baroness Hayman asked who was in favour of giving the Bill a first reading.

But despite Lord Clarke's one-man protest, it was given a first reading which is the initial formal step of introducing a new Bill to Parliament.

Hundreds of postal workers yesterday staged a noisy demonstration in Westminster, supported by scores of Labour MPs and union leaders.

One hundred and thirty two Labour backbenchers have signed a motion against the Bill which is expected to allow up to 30% of Royal Mail to be privatised.

We are going to have to do some pretty difficult things otherwise the company will not survive.

Adam Crozier, Chief Executive, Royal Mail

Lord Mandelson's Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)told Sky News that, contrary to reports, he did not introduce the Bill a day early.

A spokesman said Parliamentary protocol dictates that a bill to be heard in the Lords first (as opposed to the more normal practice of the Commons) has to be introduced there a day before publication.

The Bill will be published tomorrow.

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