HC Deb 10 April 1968 vol 762 cc1373-401
The Postmaster-General (Mr. Roy Mason)

With permission, I should like to make a statement about Post Office charges.

My predecessor has already announced that the Government accept the recommendation of the National Board for Prices and Incomes that the Post Office should raise additional revenue through increased charges.

For telecommunications we require additional revenue to help finance the huge capital programme which must be undertaken to improve the service for existing users, and to give the country the telecommunications service it needs. Despite what the Board calls "an impressively fast increase in manpower productivity" this programme cannot be financed from the present charges without an unacceptable fall in the return on capital employed. Productivity improvements and business growth are also insufficient to, offset rising costs in the postal service. This is a labour intensive industry—over 70 per cent. of the costs Lire for labour—and although we are making a major effort on mechanisation there will always be large areas of the job which can never be mechanised.

I accept in principle the Board's recommendations about telecommunications charges. The main changes will be as fellows. The rentals for residential lines will be increased by 10s. a quarter; but there will be no changes in the rentals for business lines. On charges for trunk calls, I accept the Board's proposals on the amount of money to be raised, but not their proposals for three different rates during a weekday. It is of paramount importance that the charging structure should be readily understood by our customers—and also by the Post Office staff who have to operate it. I propose, therefore, to have a peak rate applying throughout the day Mondays to Fridays: the charges will be increased by about a quarter during this period. A cheap rate, longer than the present one, will apply throughout the night and all day on Sundays: most trunk calls will be cheaper than at present during these times. A new intermediate rate, slightly lower than the present full rate, will be introduced on Saturdays during the day. These changes will be introduced on 1st October.

As the Board recommends, I am increasing the connection charge from a maximum of £10 to a maximum of £20. This charge will operate from 16th April. At the same time I shall no longer require one year's rental in advance from new customers. We shall revert to the former arrangement of one quarter's rental in advance.

New posts: the House knows that we have said that we would introduce a two-tier letter service this autumn. Customers would pay according to the speed of service they want instead of according to the content of their letter, as at present. The two-tier service will start on 16th September. The basic charge for a first class letter will be 5d. and for a second class letter 4d. There will be no increase in charges for remittances and inland parcels.

Registered newspapers are at present sent at the printed rate, but are given the same speed of service as letters. Withdrawal of the concession at a time when postage rates are being raised generally would mean a double increase for newspapers. I propose, therefore, to continue the concession under the two-tier system by giving newspapers the first class service for the second class rate; but I will confine it in future to registered newspapers posted by publishers or their agents.

There will be some changes also in charges for overseas mails.

Full details of all the changes in telecommunications and postal charges will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The Board's Report does not consist only of recommendations about charges. There are many others which I am studying closely, but I would remind the House of the conclusion of the Board's Report: …we think the very substantial merits of the Post Office should be recognised. In spite of its defects we have been favourably impressed with its efficiency and with its high regard for the public interest.

Mr. Bryan

Is the Postmaster-General aware that, although we congratulate him on his recent promotion, we cannot congratulate him on his maiden statement in that office?

May I ask two questions? What are his comments on the very disquieting report of the Prices and Incomes Board that the Post Office costing system, upon which these huge increases are entirely based, does not provide appropriate data? Secondly, does the Postmaster-General intend in future to be guided by the financial objectives laid down by the White Paper on Nationalised Industries for the criteria of the Government's prices and incomes policy? No private industry would be allowed to raise its prices just to make a profit of 8 per cent.

Mr. Mason

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his opening remarks.

As to his two queries, I am aware of the criticism by the Prices and Incomes Board regarding our costings arrangements, and I assure him that that matter is under review. Secondly, in future this will be a combination of the comments in the White Paper on Nationalised Industries and in keeping with our present prices and incomes and productivity policy.

Mr. J. T. Price

Although I would require to consider the statement and to make comment on it later, could my right hon. Friend tell me at this stage, on the basis of the new revenue which is estimated from these increased charges, how much new capital is required to be generated and what percentage of new capital is required out of current revenue to finance future capital projects?

Mr. Mason

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for that question, because most of what we are trying to do now is because of failures of the previous Tory Administration. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh"] On telecommunications the increases should bring in £40 million a year and on posts about £27 million a year. We are intending to spend £100 million on the postal side in the next three years and £1,100 million on investment in telecommunications in the next three years.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Can the Postmaster-General give same idea of the sort of service which will be given in respect of the second class 4d. letter mail? For example, how long does he expect the interval to be between the posting of such a letter in London and delivery in another area? What effect does he think this will have on the cost of living?

Mr. Mason

The change in the cost of living will be.01 per cent. As to reliability, if a 5d. stamp is on the letter—

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

No, a 4d. stamp.

Mr. Mason

If a 5d. stamp is on the letter, we hope to increase reliability and to guarantee early delivery. With a 4d. stamp, in many instances, when posted locally it will still be delivered within 24 hours, but those who put a 4d. stamp on a letter must expect to have a delay of 24 hours as distinct from the first-class service.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

May I wish my right hon. Friend the best of luck in his new job? I think he will need it, but some of us will try to ensure that he gets some. Would he agree that if the record of productivity achieved by the unions in the Post Office were matched by private enterprise we would have no economic problem in the country?

Mr. Mason

I thank my hon. Friend, first, for his good wishes and, secondly, for his helpful supplementary question, especially as it referred to the Post Office engineers, who have been increasing their productivity at the rate of 8 per cent. per year over the past five years, which is something which British industry generally could emulate.

Dr. Winstanley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have much sympathy with him in having been given such a distasteful task in his new job, and we welcome the abolition of the requirement of a year's telephone rental in advance? But is he aware that these charges will have grave implications throughout the whole United Kingdom and will bear heavily on certain sections, such as old people living at home and in old people's hostels? Will he have discussions with the Minister of Social Security on methods of relieving these?

Mr. Mason

I should have thought that the House is now aware that we have established a Fellowship at the University of Essex to examine communications for those confined permanently at home and communications for the elderly. I should prefer to await the outcome of that report. Other Ministers are involved, particularly the Minister of Social Security.

Mr. Strauss

Will my right hon. Friend clarify an answer he gave? In future will letters posted in London, say by 6 o'clock in the evening, whether they have a 4d. or a 5d. stamp, be delivered in London by the first post next day? If not, will it not be exceedingly difficult and expensive to separate those which carry a 4d. stamp from those with a 5d. stamp?

Mr. Mason

As I said initially, in local cases probably those with a 4d., stamp and those with a 5d. stamp will be delivered the next morning, but those with a 5d. stamp will get priority.

Mr. Younger

Is the Postmaster-General aware that announcement of increases of this kind at a time when wages are about to be frozen is staggering? Does he realise that virtually every private industry in the country could adduce exactly the same reasons as he has adduced for raising prices? What would be the result for the economy if that happened?

Mr. Mason

The question is based on a wrong premise. Wages have not been frozen in the past and will not be in future.

Mr. Hooley

Can the Postmaster-General say whether his two-tier letter system can be viable if a substantial proportion of people continue to put a 4d. stamp on their letters?

Mr. Mason

They will now have the opportunity of having either a first-class service for 5d. or a second-class service with 24-hours' delay for 4d.

Mr. Ridsdale

Will the Postmaster-General say why the Bell Telephone Co. in the United States last year was able to reduce its telephone charges, and also why the Americans have been able to keep their postal charges stable over the last four years?

Mr. Mason

No, Sir, but the hon. Gentleman has encouraged me to go over there and find out.

Dr. Gray

Should not my hon. Friend be meeting his costs instead of trying to make a profit? In any case, why should his profit be 8 per cent. and not 3½ per cent. or less?

Mr. Mason

It is not a question of meeting costs. In the next twelve months it is anticipated that the posts will lose £12 million, and the increase will offset that.

Mr. Bryan

Is the Postmaster-General aware that the public is getting increasingly irritated by Government-owned industries opting out of the Government's prices and incomes policy?

Mr. Mason

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said a few months ago, if the private sector are going to increase their tariffs they should submit them to the Prices and Incomes Board first. This applies to the nationalised sector as well, and I see no reason why the Post Office should not do likewise.

Miss Herbison

With reference to a previous question, is my right hon. Friend aware that most of the American industrialists in this country are filled with praise for the postal services, particularly those who have experience of the postal services in America?

Mr. Mason

I am obliged to my right hon. Friend. The Post Office handles 230 million letters and printed papers per week, and in relation to that number we get very few complaints.

Sir T. Beamish

Since it will probably cost more to deliver a 4d. letter than a 5d. letter, ought not the Post Office to charge 5d. for the 4d. stamp and 4d. for the 5d. stamp?

Mr. Speaker

There is apparently no answer to that question.

Mr. Winnick

Is it intended that the two-tier arrangement for 4d. and 5d. stamps should be a permanent arrangement? Is there not a danger that the 4d. service will become slower and slower in order to encourage people to use 5d. stamps?

Mr. Mason

Permanent at this stage, yes. On the latter point, I shall do my utmost to make sure that does not happen.

Sir H. Harrison

Could I ask the Postmaster-General whether he will think again about the sick and elderly living

POST OFFICE TARIFFS
1.—TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
1. Changes to operate from 16th April, 1968:—
(a) Connection charges
Present Proposed
£ s. £ s.
Maximum exchange line connection charge (up to 3 miles chargeable length) 10 0 20 0
Note:Connection charges for temporary telephone services will be increased proportionately subject to a maximum of £30.
2. Changes to operate from 1st October, 1968:—
(a) Exchange Line Rentals
Present Proposed
£ s. £ s.
Residence lines (per quarter) (per quarter)
Exclusive … … … … … … … 3 10 4 0
Shared … … … … … … … 3 0 3 10

(b) Call Charges

1. The charges for local calls from exchanges without STD (untimed will not be changed.

2. For time calls, the present two rate structure for trunk and local call will be replaced by a new pattern of three rates for trunk calls and two rates for calls as follows:—

(i) Peak charge:
Trunk and Local … From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday (instead of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday as at present).
(ii) Cheapest charge:
Trunk and Local … All day Sunday (as at present) and extended up to 8 a.m. on other days.
Local only … Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(iii) Intermediate charges:
Trunk only … Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. Details are as follows:

(i) Inland calls
Present Proposed
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday
Local Calls from
STD exchanges
Ordinary subscribers 2d. for 2d. for 2d. for 2d. for 2d. for 2d. for
6 mins. 6 mins. 12 mins. 4 mins. 12 mins. 12 mins.
Coinboxes … 6d. for 6d. for 6d. for 6d. for 6d. for 6d. for
6 mins. 6 mins. 12 mins 6 mins. 12 mins. 12 mins.
Trunk Calls
STD
Ordinary Subscribers Secs. for 2d. Secs. for 2d. Secs. for 2d. Secs. for 2d. Secs. for 2d. Secs. for 2d.
Up to 35 miles … 30 30 60 24 36 60
35 to 50 miles … 15 15 30 12 18 30
Over 50 miles … 10 10 20 8 12

alone in remote country areas and for whom a telephone is essential? I am not thinking only of those who come within the social security provisions but also the next strata of income groups.

Mr. Mason

The House ought to be aware that the Post Office has no section within its Department able to check the validity of claims from old people, old-age pensioners, the limbless and a variety of others needing these services. It is a matter for another Department, the Ministry of Social Security, and we must await the examination that I announced earlier.

The following are the details:

Present Proposed
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday
Coinboxes Secs. for 6d. Secs. for 6d. Secs. for 6d. Secs. for 6d. Secs. for 6d. Secs. for 6d.
Up to 35 miles … 60 60 120 48 72 120
35 to 50 miles … 30 30 60 24 36 60
Over 50 miles … 20 20 40 16 24
Connected by the Operator 3 mins. 3 mins. 3 mins. 3 mins. 3 mins 3 mins.
Ordinary Subscribers
Up to 35 miles … 1s. 0d. 1s. 0d. 9d. 1s. 6d. 1s. 0d. 6d.
35 to 50 miles … 2s. 0d. 2s. 0d. 1s. 3d. 2s. 6d. 2s. 0d. 1s. 0d.
50 to 75 miles … 3s. 0d. 3s. 0d. 1s. 9d. 4s. 0d. 3s. 0d. 2s. 0d.
75 to 125 miles … 3s. 6d. 3s. 6d. 2s. 3d.
Over 125 miles … 4s. 0d. 4s. 0d.
Coinboxes
Up to 35 miles … 1s. 6d. 1s. 6d. 1s. 0d. 2s. 6d. 1s. 6d. 1s. 0d.
35 to 50 miles … 2s. 6d. 2s. 6d. 1s. 6d. 3s. 6d. 2s. 6d. 1s. 6d.
50 to 75 miles … 3s. 6d. 3s. 6d. 2s. 0d. 5s. 0d. 3s. 6d. 2s. 6d.
75 to 125 miles … 4s. 0d. 4s. 0d. 2s. 6d.
Over 125 miles … 4s. 6d. 4s. 6d.
(c) Telephone Call Facilities
Facility Present Proposed
Alarm Call
Subscriber (STD) … … 6d. 2s.
Subscriber (without STD) … 5d. Residence 1s. 8d. Residence
6d. Business 2s. Business
Coinbox (STD) … … 1s. 2s.
Coinbox (without STD) … 8d. 2s.
Credit card
Call … … No extra charge 6d. fee on each call
Card—first card … … 5s. quarter No change
extra card with same number No charge 2s. 6d. quarter
Personal Call fee
Full rate … … 1s. 6d. 2s.
Cheap rate … … 1s.
Transferred charge call fee 3d. (6d. where money has to be inserted in coinbox) 6d. on all calls
Advice of duration and charge … Inland Calls—3d. Inland Calls—6d.
Overseas Calls—No charge Overseas Calls—2s.
Fixed time call fee … … 6d. for single call 6d. for all calls
5d. each for a series of calls
Temporary transfer and interception of calls
Casual use of facility … Each continuous period of up to 7 days—5s. 2s. a day with a minimum
Each day in excess of 7 (subject to a maximum of 5s. for each 7 days)—9d.
Each complete period of
1 month—15s.
Regular use … … … 1 month—15s. £4 quarter or part of quarter
2 successive months—£1 10s.
3 successive months—£2
Temporary disconnection of telephone service
Casual rate … … … 5s. per installation for each separate continuous period of disconnection 10s. per exchange line for each separate continuous period of disconnection
Contract rate … … … 1 month—15s. Contract rate to be abolished
2 successive months—£1 10s.
3 successive months—£2
Particulars of manually connected trunk calls 1s. for 25 items 2s. for 25 items

Note: Charges for other miscellaneous facilities such as picture calls, night busying, etc., subject to individual agreement, will also be increased, after due notice where appropriate.

(d) Charges for Telephone Directory Entries
Main Directories
Present Proposed
London Postal Area Outer London and Provinces London Postal Area Outer London and Provinces
£ s. £ s. £ s. £ s.
(per annum) (per annum) (per annum) (per annum)
1. Main entry in heavy type … … 1 16 1 7 6 0 £2–£4 according to circulation of directory
2. Extra entry in ordinary type … 12 9 2 0 1 0
3. Extra entry in heavy type … … 2 8 1 16 8 0 £3–£5 according to circulation of directory
4. Entry in a main directory other than that in which main entry is listed
(a) ordinary type … … New service 4 0 4 0
(b) heavy type … … 10 0 £6–£8 according to circulation of directory
5. Entry containing supplementary information (additional to 3 words of description allowed free for businesses)—Per word 6 6 1 0 1 0
£ s.
(per annum)
Business Directories
1. Main entry in heavy type … … New Services 8 0
2. Extra entry in ordinary type … 2 0
3. Extra entry in heavy type … … 10 0
4. Entry containing supplementary information, additional to 3 words of description allowed free—Per word 1 0
5. Entry for single-line business … 4 0
£ s.
(per annum)
Local Telephone Directories
1. Main entry in heavy type 12 1 10
2. Extra entry in ordinary type where there is no corresponding extra entry in main directory 6 1 0
3. Extra entry in heavy type
(a) where there is a corresponding extra entry in ordinary type or heavy type in the main telephone directory 12 1 10
Present Proposed
£ s. £ s.
(per annum) (per annum)
(b) where there is no corresponding extra entry in the main telephone directory 18 2 10
4. Entry containing one or more extra words which do not appear in a corresponding entry in the main telephone directory—For each extra word 3 12
5. Entry in a local directory other than that in which the main entry is listed
(i) ordinary type New service 2 0
(ii) heavy type 3 10
(e) Directory Enquiry Service
Present Proposed
"Vague" enquiry for telephone number
Search fee when information provided by caller is insufficient for number to be found readily: For each search—whether successful or not No charge 1s.
Enquiry for subscriber's name and address
For each name and address No charge 1s. in addition to any chargeable call if enquiries are beyond local call area of enquirer
(f) Internal Extension Rentals
Present (per quarter) Proposed (per quarter)
£ s. £ s.
Plan 1, 1A, 1B or 1C … … … … 10 14
Plan 2: Two main stations … … … 10 10
each associated internal extension … … 12 14
Plan 3 … … … … … 16 1 5
Plan 4 … … … … … 6 8
each additional telephone … … … 9 12
Plan 5 or 5A … … … … … 2 0 2 10
Plan 7 or 7A … … … … … 1 5 1 15
Plan 8 … … … … … 16 1 0
Plan 9 … … … … … 1 0 1 5
Plan 10 … … … … … 1 6 1 10
Plan 11 … … … … … 1 0 1 8
Plan 12 or 12A … … … … … 16 1 5
Plan 105 or 105A … … … … … 2 10 2 15
Plan 107 or 107A … … … … … 1 15 2 0

Note: Connection charges are unchanged except that for coupling plan 2 main stations which will be reduced from £4 to £2.

(g) External Extensions
(i) Rental
Present Proposed
£ s. £ s.
Mileage Charge (per quarter) (per quarter)
Up to 1 furlong … 15 Up to 1 furlong … 1 0
Over 1 furlong up to 2 furlongs … 1 10 Over 1 furlong up to 2 furlongs … 2 0
Over 2 furlongs up to 3 furlongs … 2 5 Over 2 furlongs up to 3 furlongs … 3 0
Over 3 furlongs up to 4 furlongs … 3 0 Over 3 furlongs up to 4 furlongs … 4 0
Over 4 furlongs up to 6 furlongs … 4 10 Over 4 furlongs up to 6 furlongs … 5 10
And so on by ¼ mile steps And so on by [...]0s. Steps Over 6 furlongs up to 1 mile … 7 0
And so on by ¼ mile steps … And so on by £2 steps
Over 1½ miles up to 1¾ miles … 12 15
Over 1¾ miles up to 2 miles … 14 10
And so on by ¾ mile steps … And so on by £1 10s. steps
Over 3 miles up to 3½ miles … 21 0 Over 3 miles up to 3½ miles … 23 10
And so on by ½ mile steps … And so on by £3 steps And so on by ½ mile steps … And so on by £3 steps
Over 4½ miles up to 5 miles … 30 0
Present Proposed
£ s. £ s.
(per quarter) (per quarter)
Over 5 miles up to 6 miles … 35 0 Over 5 miles up to 6 miles … 37 10
And so on by 1 mile steps … And so on by £5 steps And so on by 1 mile steps … And so on by £5 steps
Up to 30 miles at … … … 155 0 Up to 30 miles at … … … 157 10
No change above 30 miles

Note: These rates are doubled for Plan 9 extension circuits. Where appropriate, plan extension rentals (section (f) above) are additional.

(ii) Connexion Charge
Up to 5 miles … … … £5 Up to ½ mile … … … £5
Over ½ mile up to 5 miles … £10
No change above 5 miles
(h) Private Manual Branch Exchange Rentals
Present (per quarter) Proposed (per quarter)
£ s. £ s.
Other than multiple type
Size:
1+3 … … … … 2 10 3 0
2+4 … … … … 3 0 4 0
2+6 … … … … 4 10 5 0
3+7 or 3+9 … … … … 6 0 8 0
3 + 12 … … … … 8 0 10 0
3+12 (panel type) … … … 9 0 11 0
3 + 10 or 5+20 … … … 12 0 13 0
5+25 (panel type) … … … 15 0 22 0
10+30 … … … … 18 0 25 0
10 + 50 … … … … 22 0 30 0
10+60 … … … … 25 0 35 0
Multiple type: each section … … 33 0 42 10
Standby power supply equipment
3 + 12 … … … … 13 0 9 0
3 + 12 (panel type) … … … 13 0 10 0
4+18 … … … … 14 0 12 0
5+25 (panel type) … … … 15 0 12 0

Note 1: Connection charges and internal removal charges will be twice the proposed quarterly rental, except that for multiple types the connection charge will be four times the quarterly rental.

Note 2: Charges for other PMBX facilities, provided under individual agreement, will be adjusted after due notice.

(i) Private Automatic Branch Exchanges (PABX) Rentals
Present Proposed
£ s. £ s.
(per quarter) (per quarter)
PABX Type 1
4+15 … … … … … 40 0 55 0
5+24 … … … … … 50 0 65 0
7+35 … … … … … 60 0 75 0
10+49 … … … … … 70 0 85 0
PABX Type 2
4+15 … … … … … 50 0 70 0
5+24 … … … … … 60 0 80 0
7+35 … … … … … 70 0 90 0
10+49 … … … … … 80 0 100 0
PABX Types 5 or 6
3+10 … … … … … 45 0 50 0
5+20 … … … … … 55 0 60 0
Note 1: Connection charges and internal removal charges will be twice the proposed quarterly rental. (At present the connection charge for PABX types 1 and 2 is four times the quarterly rental.).
Note 2: Charges for certain other PABXs and facilities, provided under individual agreement, will be adjusted after due notice.
(i) Private Branch Exchanges—Associated Equipment (Connection Charge and Rentals)
Present Proposed
Connection Charge Rental Connection Charge Rental
(Maximum) (per quarter) (Maximum) (per quarter)
£ £ s. d. £ £ s. d.
Special additional switchboard for nigh: working connected with a PMBX Additional switchboard No rental or connection charge Normal rental and connection charge according to type
For each exchange line and extension connected with such switchboard 2 6 0 2 9 0
For each private circuit, inter-switchboard and external extension connected with such switchboard 2 6 0 2 1 10 0
Note: Where additional switchboard is not in same building a mileage charge per circuit connected is also payable.
(k) Miscellaneous Equipment and Apparatus (Rentals)
Present Rental (per quarter) Proposed Rental (per quarter)
£ s. d. £ s. d.
Emergency press button on coinbox … … … 4 6 5 0
Breastplate transmitters
Instead of standard transmitter … … … … 7 6 9 0
Headgear Receiver
In addition to standard receiver:—
Single … … … … 3 0 5 0
Double … … … … 4 6 8 0
Instead of standard receiver:—
Single … … … … Nil 5 0
Double … … … … 3 0 8 0
Breastplate transmitter and headgear receiver combined
In addition to standard instrument:—
With single headgear receiver … … … … 10 6 12 0
With double headgear receiver … … … … 13 6 15 0
Instead of standard instrument:—
With single headgear receiver … … … … 7 6 12 0
With double headgear receiver … … … … 10 6 15 0
Lightweight headset
No. 1 … … … … 10 6 12 0
No. 2 … … … … 13 6 15 0
Extension Bell Continuous Ringing Intermitten Ringing All Types
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Trembler 2½ inch (battery operated) … … … 4 6 3 0 4 0
Trembler 4 inch (battery operated) … … … 6 0 3 9 10 0
Trembler 6 inch (battery operated) … … … 9 0 6 0 10 0
Trembler 12 inch (battery operated) … … … 13 6 9 0 1 0 0
Trembler 6 inch (mains operated) … … … 9 0 6 0 10 0
Trembler 10 inch (mains operated) … … … 10 6 7 6 15 0
Magneto 2½ inch … … … … … — 1 6 3 0
Magneto Cow gong … … … … … — 2 3 3 0
Magneto 6 inch … … … … … — 3 0 6 0
Switchboard internal buzzer … … … … … Nil 5 0
Hooter (mains operated) … … … … … 9 0 9 0 15 0
Apparatus used for provision of service to ships in dock
10 yards of cable or part thereof … … … … 2 3 3 0
Each additional 10 yards or part thereof … … 2 3 3 0
Weatherproof plug and socket … … … … 6 9 6 0
Special Protective Apparatus
Flameproof wall telephone (No. 149) … … … 18 0 1 10 0
Flameproof table telephone (No. 266) … … … Specially assessed 1 10 0
Flameproof telephone in 700 series … … … Specially assessed 2 10 0
Protector Box … … … … … … 4 6 Single payment charge
2 10 0
Plugs and sockets (2 of each) … … … … New items 1 13 0
Flameproof Relay … … … … … … 18 0
Flameproof Magneto Bell … … … … … 1 0 0
Flameproof Mains Bell … … … … … 1 13 0
Cable Pyrotenax 25 yards or part thereof … … 11 0
Cable Polythene 11 0
Conduit 1 0 0
Indicators
Drop indicator on continuous ringing bell circuit … 3 9 5 0
Eyeball or drop indicator … … … … … 2 0 5 0
Mains voltage lamp signals on exchange line or extension
Discontinuous … … … … … … 6 0 12 0
Continuous (press button control) … … …
Continuous (switchhook control) … … … … 11 3 9 0
Additionally, if lamp circuit provided by P.O. … … Nil 7 0
Pendant Telephone … … … … … … 3 9 8 0
Plug and socket instead of normal termination strip … 2 0 4 0
Watch receiver … … … … … … 2 3 2 0
Loudspeaking Telephones
No. 1 … … … … … … 2 0 0 2 10 0
No. 2 … … … … … … 5 0 0 6 0 0
No. 3 … … … … … … 3 10 0 4 0 0
Present Rental Proposed Rental
(per quarter) (per quarter)
£ s. d. £ s. d.
Footswitch to provide transmitter cut-out … … … 1 6 3 0
Meters at subscribers' premises
Clock type meter … … … … … … 1 0 0 15 0
Answering sets
Answering Set No. 1 … … … … … … 8 0 0 6 0 0
Answering Set No. 2 … … … … … … 13 0 0 13 10 0
House exchange system; internal extension between HES and PBX. Same as for main station 15 0
Note 1: Connection charges, where applicable, remain unchanged except charges ranging from £1 to £5 are to be introduced for bells, hooters, buzzers, indicators, watch receivers, mains voltage lamp signals on exchange line or extension and certain protective apparatus.
Note 2: A standard single payment charge of 30s. is to be introduced for certain minor items, e.g. change of instrument, change of apparatus, fitting of wall bracket, etc. Existing charges range from 10s. to 30s.
(1) Inland Private Circuits
(i) External Private Speech-type circuits for continuous use (rentals)
A new tariff structure and new facilities will be introduced. The present arrangement of a basic circuit charge (Tariff S) with extra charges for various improvements will be replaced by four separate tariffs:—
Tariff S1 Basic point-to-point telephone circuit.
Tariff S2 Telephone circuit for switched private network: will include full automatic signalling and dialling over any distance (new facility).
Tariff S3 Telephone circuit for switched private network: signalling as on Tariff S2.
Tariff T Data transmission circuit for transmission speeds of the order of 2,400 bauds.
Tariff S2—Proposed Rate per annum
£
Up to 1 furlong … … … … … … 4
Over 1 furlong up to 2 furlongs … … … … … … 8
Over 2 furlongs up to 3 furlongs … … … … … 12
Over 3 furlongs up to 4 furlongs … … … … … 16
Over 4 furlongs up to 6 furlongs … … … … … 22
Over 6 furlongs up to 8 furlongs … … … … … 28
And so on by ¼ mile steps … … … … … And so on by £6 steps
Over 3 miles up to 3½ miles … … … … … 88
And so on by ½ mile steps … … … … … And so on by £12 steps
Over 5 miles up to 6 miles … … … … … … 146
Over 6 miles up to 7 miles … … … … … … 168
And so on by 1 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £20 steps
Over 27 miles up to 28 miles … … … … … … 586
Rate per annum
£
And so on by 1 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £16 steps
Over 30 miles up to 35 miles … … … … … … 670
And so on by 5 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £50 steps
Over 50 miles up to 60 miles … … … … … … 920
And so on by 10 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £100 steps
Over 200 miles up to 210 miles … … … … … … 2,400
And so on by 10 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £80 steps
Over 300 miles up to 325 miles … … … … … … 3,220
And so on by 25 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £100 steps
Over 400 miles … … … … … … 3,620
Tariff S3—Proposed
Up to 1 furlong … … … … … … 8
Over 1 furlong up to 2 furlongs … … … … … … 16
Over 2 furlongs up to 3 furlongs … … … … … 24
Over 3 furlongs up to 4 furlongs … … … … … 32
Over 4 furlongs up to 6 furlongs … … … … … 44
Over 6 furlongs up to 8 furlongs … … … … … 56
And so on by ¼ mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £12 steps
Over 1½ miles up to 1¾ miles … … … … 90
And so on by ¼ mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £10 steps
Over 2 miles up to 2¼ miles … … … … … 108
And so on by ¼ mile steps … … … … … And so on by £8 steps
Over 3 miles up to 3½ miles … … … … … 148
And so on by ½ mile steps … … … … … And so on by £16 steps
Over 5 miles up to 6 miles … … … … … … 216
And so on by 1 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £20 steps
Over 14 miles up to 15 miles … … … … … … 395
And so on by 1 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £19 steps
Over 25 miles up to 26 miles … … … … … … 604
And so on by 1 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £16 steps
Over 30 miles up to 35 miles … … … … … … 720
And so on by 5 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £50 steps
Over 50 miles up to 60 miles … … … … … … 970
And so on by 10 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £100 steps
Over 200 miles up to 210 miles … … … … … … 2,450
And so on by 10 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £80 steps
Over 300 miles up to 325 miles … … … … … … 3,270
And so on by 25 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £100 steps
Over 400 miles … … … … … … 3,670

Note: In the case of circuits on Tariffs S2 and S3 over 15 miles in length, the annual rate will be reduced by £35 for one termination and £70 for both terminations where signalling and dialling equipment is not provided by the Post Office, subject to a minimum charge of £328 for circuits on Tariff S2 and £395 for circuits on Tariff S3.

Tariff T—Proposed
Up to 1 furlong … … … … … … 10
Over 1 furlong up to 2 furlongs … … … … … … 20
Over 2 furlongs up to 3 furlongs … … … … … 30
Over 3 furlongs up to 4 furlongs … … … … … 40
Over 4 furlongs up to 6 furlongs … … … … … 54
Over 6 furlongs up to 8 furlongs … … … … … 68
And so on by ¼ mile steps … … … … … And so on by £14 steps
Over 1½ miles up to 1¾ miles … … … … … … 108
Over 1¾ miles up to 2 miles … … … … … 120
And so on by ¼ mile steps … … … … … And so on by £10 steps
Over 3 miles up to 3½ miles … … … … … 180
Over 3½ miles up to 4 miles … … … … … 200
Over 4 miles up to 4½ miles … … … … … 218
Over 4½ miles up to 5 miles … … … … … 235
And so on by 1 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £18 steps
Over 30 miles up to 35 miles … … … … … … 760
And so on by 5 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £60 steps
Over 50 miles up to 60 miles … … … … … … 1,060
And so on by 10 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £120 steps
Over 100 miles up to 110 miles … … … … … … 1,650
And so on by 10 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £100 steps
Over 200 miles up to 210 miles … … … … … … 2,630
And so on by 10 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £80 steps
Over 300 miles up to 325 miles … … … … … … 3,450
And so on by 25 mile steps … … … … … … And so on by £100 steps
Over 400 miles … … … … … … 3,850
(ii) External Private Speech-type Circuits for continuous use (Connection Charge)
Present Proposed
Up to 5 miles … … … £5 Up to ½ mile … … £5
Over ½ mile up to 5 miles … £10
No change above 5 miles
(iii) Private Speech-type Circuit provided for non-continuous use (rental)
Present
Charged at proportions of Tariff S for whole circuit, according to daily period of use, regardless of number of days' service per week.
Proposed
Two part method of charging:—
(i) Permanently rented circuits from premises to serving exchange at Tariff S1.
(ii) Periods of use of main links (serving exchange to serving exchange) as shown below:
(m) Telex Service
Present Proposed
Connection Charge
Each major item of apparatus … … NIL £10
Reconnection Charge … … NIL £1
Additional Rental for Excess Mileage
Initial 30 miles radial distance from nearest telex centre No charge No charge
Then for each mile between 30 and 75 miles £2 p.a.
Then for each mile between 75 and 200 miles £1 10s. p.a.
Then for each mile in excess of 200 miles … £1 p.a.
Call Charges
Dialled seconds for 2d. Connected by operator (3 minutes) Dialled seconds for 2d. Connected by operator (3 minutes)
On same telex centre or between centres up to 15 miles apart 60 6d. 60 6d.
Between centres up to 15–35 miles apart … 60 9d. 60 6d.
Between centres up to 35–50 miles apart … 30 1s. 30 1s.
Between centres up to 50–75 miles apart … 20 1s. 3d. 30 1s.
Between centres up to 75–125 miles apart … 15 1s. 6d. 15 2s.
Between centres over 125 miles apart … 15 2s. 15 2s.
Telex Call Office Charge Present Proposed
Charge additional to normal telex call charge for each call 1s. 2s. 6d.
Internal Removals
Each major item of apparatus … … Cost of work £10
Miscellaneous Telex Apparatus
Charges for miscellaneous telegraph apparatus subject to individual agreement, will be increased after due notice.
(n) Wireless Telegraphy Licences (other than Broadcast Receiving Licences)
Aeronautical Ground Station … … £1 £1 10s.
Aircraft … … … … £1 Not exceeding £2 10s.
Amateur (Sound) … … … … £2 £3
Amateur (Television) … … … £2 £3
Amateur (Sound Mobile) … … … £1 £1 10s.
Induction Communication … … … £2 (5 years) £3 (5 years)
Light Station … … … … £1 (5 years) £1 10s. (5 years)
Model Control … … … … £1 (5 years) £1 10s. (5 years)
Police and Fire … … … … £2 Not exceeding £3
Private Mobile Radio … … … £3 each first two stations. £4 each first two stations
£2 each subsequent station £2 5s. each subsequent station
Private Mobile Radio (limited period) … £1 per licence £1 per station
Radar (Land) Station … … … £1 (5 years) £1 10s. (5 years)
Radio Beacon … … … … £1 (5 years) £1 10s. (5 years)
Ship … … … … £2 Not exceeding £4 10s.
Ship (Receiving only) … … … £1 Not exceeding £2 10s.
Testing and Development
Radiating … … … … £2 £3
Suppressed Radiation … … … £1 (5 years) £1 10s. (5 years)
Training Establishment … … … £2 (5 years) £3 (5 years)
Other licences … … … … Various Generally increased by 50 per cent.
II.—INLAND MAIL SERVICES
(including services to the Irish Republic)
(Changes to operate from 16th September, 1968)
4. LETTERS
Fully Paid Letters 1st Class Letters Printed Papers 2nd Class Letters
Weight Not Over (Present) (Proposed Under Two-Tier) (Present) (Proposed Under Two-Tier)
lb. oz. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.
2 4 5 3 4
4 6 5 5 4
6 8 9 6 6
8 10 1 0 7 8
10 1 0 1 3 8 10
12 1 2 1 6 9 1 0
14 1 4 1 9 10 1 2
1 0 1 6 2 0 11 1 4
1 2 1 9 2 3 1 0 1 6
1 4 2 0 2 6 1 1 1 7
1 6 2 3 2 9 1 2 1 8
1 8 2 6 3 0 1 3 1 9
1 10 3 6 4 0 1 4 Maximum
1 12 3 6 4 0 1 5
1 14 3 6 4 0 1 6
2 0 3 6 4 0 1 7
3 0 5 6 6 0 Maximum
4 0 7 6 8 0
5 0 9 6 10 0
6 0 11 6 12 0
III.—OVERSEAS SURFACE MAIL SERVICES (Except Parcels)
(Changes to operate from 16th September, 1968)
Present Proposed
s. d. s. d.
5. COMMONWEALTH LETTERS
Not over 1 oz. … … … … … … 4 5
Each additional oz. … … … … … … 1½ 2
6. COMMONWEALTH POSTCARDS … … … … … 3 5
7. PRINTED PAPERS—REDUCED RATE
(i) Posted singly
Not over 2 oz. … … … … … … 2 2
Over 2 oz. and up to 4 oz. … … … … … 3½ 3
Each additional weight step … … … … 1½ 3
(per 2 oz.) (per 4 oz.)
(ii) Posted in bulk
First lb. … … … … … … 1 0½ 1 0
Each additional lb. … … … … … … 1 0
(Less 5 per cent. rebate)
V.—Other Overseas Mail Services
(Changes to operate from 16th September, 1968)
Present Proposed
£ s. d. £ s. d.
9. MAXIMUM COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE
(i) Registered packets … … … … … … 2 18 0 3 8 0
(ii) Uninsured parcels … … … … … … 4 13 0 5 9 0
10. INSURANCE FEES (for letters, boxes and parcels)
For initial limit of compensation … … … … 3 2 3 2
(£24 limit) (£28 limit)
For each additional step in scale of limits of compensation … 2 2
(per£12) (per £14)
11. CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FEES
Letters … … … … … … 1 6 1 9
Parcels … … … … … … 2 6 2 9
12. STORAGE FEE (for incoming parcels awaiting clearance)
After free storage for 28 days … … … … … — 1 0
(per day)