§ 19. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Postmaster-General whether he will reduce trunk telephone charges, in view of the fact that a £59 million profit was made in 1967–68 on this service.
§ Mr. StonehouseTelephone tariffs were revised last year following the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on Post Office Charges. I have no further proposals to make at present.
§ Mr. RidsdaleDoes not this show that it would be far better to separate the postal services from the telephone services, as is done in the United States with vast benefit to the consumer? If, as is unlikely, the Postmaster-General will do this, will not he refer the matter to the Prices and Incomes Board?
§ Mr. StonehouseIf the hon. Gentleman is suggesting that the telecommunications business should be sold out to private enterprise, he is on very shaky ground indeed.