§ 2. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what further increases in postal and/or parcel rates, inland and oversea, for this year he has arranged with the Post Office Corporation.
§ Mr. ChatawayNone, Sir.
§ Sir G. NabarroWhile congratulating my right hon. Friend for taking short and faltering steps in my direction in the matter of price stability, may I ask him to heed closely and take seriously the Chancellor's exhortations to the nationalised industries, notably the Post Office Corporation, that they are to hold their prices steady for the foreseeable future and not to add to the catastrophic inflation that we have suffered in the past due to their activities?
§ Mr. ChatawayI always take most careful note of what my hon. Friend advises. He will have been glad to note, as I was, that the Post Office has welcomed the C.B.I. initiative and said that it intends to abide by the 5 per cent. limit.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that any prospective increases in postal rates will be restricted to 5 per cent.?
§ Sir G. NabarroNo. Debated here first.
§ Mr. ChatawayI can certainly assure the House that the Post Office has accepted the challenge laid down by the C.B.I. and the advice of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.
§ Mr. RichardDoes that mean that the Post Office made proposals to the right hon. Gentleman exceeding 5 per cent. which he has reduced to that level?
§ Mr. ChatawayNo. The Post Office did not make formal proposals to me but, as the hon. and learned Gentleman will know, it was considering applying for an increase early next year which would have exceeded 5 per cent.