§ 1. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked 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. Dykesasked 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. Stallardasked 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-CarpenterWill my right hon. Friend explain how an answer given on that date can give the up-to-date figure?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe 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. StallardIs 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. ChatawayI 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. RidsdaleIn general terms, can my right hon. Friend say what has been the cost of the Post Office strike to the balance of payments?
§ Mr. ChatawayNo, Sir, not without notice of the question.
§ Mr. BarnesCan 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. ChatawayThere 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.