SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
WRITTEN ANSWER
17 November 2009
Index Heading: Finance and Sustainable Growth
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of concerns in rural areas that customers in such areas can be charged extra by carrier or courier companies for the delivery of goods; if so, what its position is on this matter, and what relevant discussions it has had with (a) carrier or courier companies and (b) the UK Government.
(S3W-28331)
Mr Jim Mather :
Scottish Government recognises the concerns of consumers who feel disadvantaged by courier surcharges. However, given that the market for courier services is a free market and not regulated by Government, there is no locus for or basis on which Scottish Ministers could intervene.
The issue of surcharging by couriers for deliveries in remote areas was considered by the Public Petitions Committee at the end of last year and the Scottish Government was invited to comment. The Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism replied on behalf of the Scottish Government on 5 January 2009 (PE 1211 refers).
Post offices and postal services are reserved to the UK Government under Schedule 5 Section C11 of the Scotland Act 1998.
The Scottish Government’s position remains that we want to secure a sustainable postal service for Scotland that serves the needs of all our communities. This position is reflected in the Scottish Government's response to the Independent Review of the UK Postal Services Market:
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
