Letter and Parcel Traffic

HC Deb 06 April 1967 vol 744 c424

8. Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Postmaster-General why no rise in letter and parcel traffic is expected in 1967–68.

Mr. Edward Short

This was, of course, only our estimate at the time the Prospects White Paper was published. Postal traffic is affected by various factors. Present trends suggest that we may have been over cautious in the White Paper estimate.

Mr. Gilmour

Was the original estimate based on the idea that because there had been increased costs the law of diminishing returns should be brought into operation?

Mr. Short

No, Sir. It was based on the trend at that time. Since the White Paper was written, which was some weeks ago, there has been a slight upward trend in postal traffic, so it looks as though we erred on the cautious side.