HC Deb 11 May 1967 vol 746 cc1684-5
28. Mr. Longden

asked the Postmaster-General what proposals he now has regarding telephone rentals.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. Edward Short)

None, at present.

Mr. Longden

Will the Postmaster-General bear in mind that the telephone service of the Post Office has made a large profit? There does not seem to be much justification for increasing the rentals. The higher the rental, the heavier the burden upon the smaller user.

Mr. Short

The rentals are losing £12 million a year at present. The Post Office has to make a return of 8 per cent. on capital. The Select Committee on Nationalised Industries pointed out the imbalance in our tariffs. I said in the House on 15th March that we needed to look at this to get the balance right again. I am looking at it at present.

Mr. Molloy

Is my right hon. Friend still considering some possibility of special rentals for the crippled, disabled and people in that category?

Mr. Short

I would not like to embark upon concessionary tariffs in the Post Office, because it is extremely difficult to know where to draw the line once one starts doing that.

Mr. Brian

To what extent has Government policy on rentals affected the waiting list for telephones?

Mr. Short

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the year's rental in advance, I think that it has held the waiting list as it is, but no more than that.