HC Deb 15 February 1971 vol 811 cc1173-4
1. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the loss of revenue suffered by the Post Office as the result of the strike by Post Office staffs.

20. Mr. Dykes

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the estimated loss of revenue to the Post Office resulting from the postal workers' strike.

23. Mr. Stallard

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a statement on the estimated cost to Post Office revenues of the dispute involving Post Office workers.

The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (Mr. Christopher Chataway)

I would refer to the reply I gave on 1st February to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis).—[Vol. 810, c. 257–8.]

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Will my right hon. Friend explain how an answer given on that date can give the up-to-date figure?

Mr. Chataway

The figure given by the Post Office was £500,000 a day. That is still the Post Office's estimate. From to-day, in view of the increase in the postal tariff, the loss will probably amount to something of the order of £700,000.

Mr. Stallard

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Post Office has already lost enough money to have afforded an extra 3 per cent. on the existing claim? Is he further aware that one of the biggest stumbling blocks to a settlement may be the employers' refusal to concede a major change in the incremental scales?

Mr. Chataway

I do not think that the House will wish me to be drawn into a discussion of the details of the dispute, since talks are going on at the moment between the Union of Post Office Workers and the Post Office Board, and I have no wish to say anything to prejudice those discussions.

Mr. Ridsdale

In general terms, can my right hon. Friend say what has been the cost of the Post Office strike to the balance of payments?

Mr. Chataway

No, Sir, not without notice of the question.

Mr. Barnes

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the additional level of dialled telephone calls is as a result of the strike, and can he make any estimate of the additional revenue that that might be producing?

Mr. Chataway

There has been a substantial increase and, in consequence, there will be an increased revenue. With that, there will also have been increased costs. But there is no doubt that, on balance, the Post Office has benefited.