A public consultation on possible corporatisation of the Post Office may take place later this year.

Post Office chairman Julie Edge MHK confirmed that staff would also be consulted.

Earlier this year Ms Edge hinted that corporatisation plans might be dropped when she acknowledged a number of Tynwald members were against them.

In the House of Keys last week David Ashford (Douglas North) asked what consultation would take place before any corporatisation went ahead. Ms Edge said dialogue was ’ongoing’.

’A public consultation would take place before any decision could be made on corporatisation and this would, of course, include the staff,’ she added.

’The Post Office employs approximately 350 staff who are dedicated, hard-working employees, providing a high-level of customer service. It would be essential that corporatisation had their support.

’Under my leadership, the new board agreed that the future strategy of the business should be a priority and we feel it is imperative that this is fully considered and agreed before a final determination on the most suitable structure for the business is made.’

Ms Edge confirmed the unions would be involved in the consultation, which she said was unlikely to begin before October.

A report, supported by the then board of the Post Office, proposed changing its status from statutory board to a government-owned company meaning it would operate more autonomously than it does at present.

But Tynwald rejected most of the recommendations in the report, other than the adoption of articles of association.