However, it expressed concern about the credibility of assurances that had been given regarding continued access for small businesses and others, now that it was in private hands.
“The Postcode Address File was included in the sale to boost the Royal Mail share price at flotation. This takes an immediate but narrow view of the value of such data sets,” it said.
“The PAF should have been retained as a public data set, as a national asset, available free to all, for the benefit of the public and for the widest benefit of the UK economy. Its disposal for a short-term gain will impede economic innovation and growth. This was an unacceptable and unnecessary consequence of privatisation.”
The committee broadly welcomed the Government’s commitment to opening up official data to the public.
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills defended the inclusion of the PAF in the flotation.
“The Postcode Address File was included in the sale of Royal Mail because it is an integral part of its operations, not to boost the price,” a spokesman said.
The Royal Mail said it took its PAF responsibilities very seriously and would be outlining its final proposals to simplify the licence “very soon”.
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