HC Deb 07 July 1960 vol 626 c695
40. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Postmaster-General at the annual dinner of the Telecommunications Engineering and Manufacturing Association last February about existing weaknesses in Post Office policy represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

The speech of my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General was entirely consistent with Her Majesty's Government's policy, which is to maintain an efficient and up-to-date Post Office.

Mr. Hughes

Is not this a rather interesting and exotic example of self-criticism and self-condemnation by a Minister in a Government whose party has been in office for eight years? Will the Prime Minister, either himself or through his Minister, clarify the weaknesses in policy to which the Minister referred in that speech?

The Prime Minister

I would remind the hon. and learned Gentleman that if he will consult Cmnd. 989, which was laid in March of this year, he will see that there was a whole series of proposals for changes in Post Office management, and especially with regard to the practical recognition of its commercial character, upon which we hope to legislate next year.