§ 3.10 p.m.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state the number of letters handled during the customary three-week Christmas period in 1975; and how this figure compares with that for 1974 using the same basis of calculations, when the number handled was 806 million.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of INDUSTRY (Lord Melchett)My Lords, these are matters for the Post Office, but it has informed me that the number of letters and packets posted during the three-week period 13th December 1975 to 2nd January 1976 was 636 million. These figures are provisional.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, as that represents a fall of 170 million items posted, which is a drop of 21 per cent., may I ask the Minister two short questions which arise. First, apart from the disappointment caused to individuals by the refusal to have a Christmas stamp, has he any idea of the damage caused to charities? Secondly, can we take it that the Carter Committee on the Post Office will look into this matter of Christmas post in time to make a recommendation before next Christmas?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I do not have any information regarding the sale of charity Christmas cards, and indeed this does not fall within the terms 642 of the Question on the Order Paper. But it is the view of the Post Office that any concession would involve a substantial fall in revenue to the Post Office, and it is not the business of the Post Office to subsidise charities. As to the Carter Committee, their terms of reference are very wide, as my noble friend knows, and they will be able to study this question if they wish. I would hope that they will be able to report as soon as possible.