Royal Mail Sell-Off Bill Gets First Reading In Parliament

Lord Mandelson, introduced the Bill to privatise 30% of the Royal Mail one day earleir than planned.

BBC News website reported this evening:

The bill was given its first reading - essentially a formality which allows it to be printed so peers and MPs can see the proposals in detail. It will be debated in full at its second reading - expected on 10 March.

It had been expected that the bill would be introduced on Thursday but the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform denied it had been moved forward and said it was usual procedure for Lord Mandelson to make a statement before peers the day before.

They said nothing had been altered in the timetable for the bill - as it would be published on the Parliamentary website on Thursday.

The CWU have issued this footnote to the above:

By convention the House of Lords does not normally vote to overturn a Government Manifesto Commitment. As this Bill will be a clear breach of the Government's Manifesto commitment endorsed by the British people, voting as a whole, the Union will be seeking legal advice on this matter.

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