Mail models

[POSTMAN]

http://news.scotsman.com/letters/Letter ... 6640116.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would like to set the record straight regarding your story, "Call to follow German model and scale back Royal Mail privatisation" (20 November).
It is wrong to suggest that during a debate on the Postal Services Bill I "claimed Deutsche Post was wholly privatised, but was later forced to admit the German government had a one-third share". I did nothing of the sort - a quick look at Hansard's
ADVERTISEMENT
transcript shows this.

Deutsche Post is one of the most successful postal businesses in Europe. I'm well aware of its ownership arrangements and the fact that 20 per cent of its shares are owned by British investors. I chose to highlight it as an example of the sort of modernisation that Royal Mail will need to undertake to become a world-class postal services provider.

Deutsche Post is controlled by private shareholders. The German government retains a 30.5 per cent stake, but there is nothing in German legislation that requires it to keep those shares.

This flexible approach is exactly what we are proposing for Royal Mail so we have the ability to sell all the shares if that represents the best deal for taxpayers and the company.

Since its flotation Deutsche Post has been able to invest almost £12 billion in the business. Royal Mail also needs substantial funding to modernise.

We all know public finances are under huge strain and it is unrealistic to think the taxpayer can keep picking up the bill.

We also want employees to benefit from the largest employee share scheme of any privatisation for 25 years. And we've given a guarantee that there will be no programme of Post Office closures. More than 600 branches closed in Scotland under the last government.

Our plans to protect two cornerstones of British life - the Royal Mail and the Post Office - are important. They deserve a serious debate.

Edward Davey

Department for Business

London

[DGP1]

I think this deserves my usual comment for these people.......................w*****s

[fishtank]

Wayne Rooney

Shrek

Ed Davey

[Wessex]

Didnt Deutsche Post have bundles of money because the regulator over there allowed them to increase prices to build up a war-chest to buy out foreign targets.Didnt the German government introduce a minimum wage for postal workers to bankrupt foreign competitors.Does the German Secret Service have a really bloody good economic unit cos whenever the s**t hits the fan in Europe re the Euro it seems to strengthen their economy whist the Irish and the Bubble n Squeaks seem buggered