Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of the inclusion of the Postcode Address File in the sale of Royal Mail on (a) small businesses and (b) other users of formerly public postcode data.

The Government has ensured access to the Postcode Address File (PAF) through primary legislation. The Postal Services Act 2000 (as amended by the Postal Services Act 2011) specifies that the PAF must be made available to anyone who wishes to use it on reasonable terms.

This legislative protection will continue to apply regardless of Royal Mail's ownership.

No assessment has been made of the effect of the inclusion of the Postcode Address File in the sale of Royal Mail on either small businesses or other users.