I use that analogy to again draw to the attention of all and sundry the necessity to recognise that whatever else happens there must be clarity, transparency and accountability. Those charged with regulatory functions must recognise at all times that they are accountable to somebody and not necessarily to a glossy production published every year or every two years that probably costs a fortune and is sent to all of us through the post by way of an explanation for what has been happening in the prededing 12 months. I need not emphasise the problems and difficulties in which this country has found itself, which have occurred simply because the Government devolved responsibility, in the first instance, to subordinate bodies, groups and agencies which do not wish to be accountable to anybody. It is not sufficient to say that they produce an account to the Comptroller and Auditor General or somebody else. They did not observe their mission statement, their raison d'être in the first instance and we are where we are now as a result of that. I want to particularly emphasise the necessity of ensuring there is 100% accountability. That does not mean to say that we should strangle commercial activity by over regulation and over accountability. We tend to opt for extremes in that where once there was no regulation, we suddenly have a multitude of such bodies, and one is as bad as the other. We want to be careful not to go down that road. The Bill proposes to regulate the postal services and we know that is necessary. It is also supposed to identify weaknesses that might arise and to put in place a response to be able to ensure that the public interest is protected at all times.

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