91997E3511

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3511/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (14 November 1997)

Subject: Damage to small and medium-sized businesses as a result of the Netherlands and European postal authorities' abuse of their monopoly position

1. Small and medium-sized businesses face constant problems because of the postal authorities' abuse of their monopoly position. In several places in the Netherlands activities other than postal services covered by the monopoly, including foreign exchange operations and the issue of registration certificates, are carried out at the post office counters used for postal services. This is a serious problem for small and medium-sized businesses. Waiting times for a standard parcel may be more than 20 minutes during the peak period from 4 to 6 p.m. The manager of postal services in the Hague, W. van den Berg, does not consider this disturbing. However it means a considerable loss to small and medium-sized businesses. Is the Council prepared to ask to Commission to draw up guidelines to prohibit European postal authorities from abusing their monopoly position.

2. How can the monopoly of the European postal authorities be broken in the interests of small and medium-sized businesses and employment?

3. Is the Council prepared to ask to Commission to draw up guidelines to prohibit European postal authorities from combing commercial interests, including foreign exchange operations, which compete with commercial banks, and monopoly postal services, such as acceptance and dispatch of mail, at the same counters?

Answer (9 March 1998)

1. In response to the question of the Honourable Member of the European Parliament, the Council would recall that in conformity with the provisions of the Treaty, the issue of abuse of a dominant position falls within the competence of the Commission.

2. The Council would also remind the Honourable Member that the European Parliament and the Council recently adopted, on 15 December 1997, Directive 97/67/EC, which sets out common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service ((OJ L 15, 21.1.1998, p. 14. )).