§ 30. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the high freight rates and the recently altered postal services between the north of Scotland and the south of Britain give to trade and industries located in England an unfair advantage over trade and industry located in Aberdeen and in other parts of the north of Scotland; and if he will consult with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation and the Postmaster-General with a view to rectifying these injustices by treating Britain as a unit.
§ Mr. MaclayI have brought the hon. and learned Member's Question to the notice of my right hon. Friends, but I understand that freight rates and postal facilities in Aberdeen are on the same basis as in other parts of Great Britain.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that, in the matters referred to in the Question, people in the north-east of Scotland are treated as 191 though they were foreigners and not given equal rights? Is he aware that the Prime Minister expressed himself as being in favour of the "postalisation" of freight rates so as to give north-east business men equal opportunities with the rest of the people in this island? Will he look at the matter again?
§ Mr. MaclayMany great brains, including the hon. and learned Gentleman's, have pondered hard on the postalisation of freight rates, but I should point out that the recent charges scheme is an improvement on the previous method of charging for the remoter areas.