§ 7. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will refer the latest increases in postal charges to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ 12. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs why an exception was made to allow the recent increases in postal charges.
§ Mr. William RodgersNo, Sir. The increases in postal charges were an integral part of the measures necessary to remedy the economic situation announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 20th July.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonDoes not that reply suggest that the Government are not only tyrannical but capricious? Is not the Government's prices and incomes policy in fact just a policy of higher prices and smaller incomes?
§ Mr. RodgersThe position was set out very clearly indeed, as my right hon. Friend the First Secretary said, in the White Paper three months ago. There has been no change since then.
§ Mr. IrvineWould the hon. Gentleman not agree that this looks to the country as if there is one law for Government industries and another for private industries? Would he not further agree that the increased Post Office charges are an integral part of all costs in every industry and that private industry is now supposed to absorb these costs itself?
§ Mr. RodgersWe made it clear at every stage that, whether the prices are in the public or private sector, every effort should be made by those concerned to absorb them.