§ 41. Mr. Goldingasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will state the percentage growth in telephones installed between 1st April, 1958, and 31st March, 1964, and between 1st April, 1964, and 31st March, 1970, respectively.
§ Mr. ChatawayAbout 25 per cent. and 50 per cent. respectively.
§ Mr. GoldingIs the Minister aware that this dramatic increase followed a large increase in investment but also a very large increase in the productivity of Post Office telecommunications staff? Will he correct the impression he gave at the Conservative Party conference that the productivity of Post Office staffs fell in the last two years?
§ Mr. ChatawayAt the Conservative Party conference I was referring to the postal side of the busines, where, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there has been a decline in productivity. I am glad that the investment that followed the Post Office reorganisation of finances in 1961 bore such fruit in the latter part of the decade.