§ 9. Mr. Joplingasked the Postmaster-General if he will publish a White Paper on the implications of his proposed Post Office reorganisation for the telecommunications industry.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo, Sir. The only such implication, if the hon. Gentleman is referring to the reorganisation now in progress, is that responsibility for relations with the telecommunications industry is being concentrated in a newly created Purchasing and Supply Department.
§ Mr. JoplingIn view of the magnitude of the telecommunications industry, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that it would not be better to set it up as a separate public corporation rather than lump it together with the Post Office, as is envisaged?
§ Mr. ShortI am not sure what the hon. Gentleman means. If he means setting up the postal side of the Post Office as a separate business and the telecommunications side as another separate business, that is being done. Managerially the two businesses are quite separate from broad level right down to field level, including the regions. However, there will be one board at the top—one Post Office Corporation at the top of the two businesses.