§ 2. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he can now make a further statement on the forthcoming proposals for increases in postal charges, having regard to diminished revenue and strike losses.
§ The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (Mr. Christopher Chataway)No, Sir. No such proposals have yet reached me.
§ Sir G. NabarroIs my right hon. Friend aware that yesterday, without any kind of parliamentary statement, overseas parcel rates were dramatically increased, thereby knocking the whole of our exports? In view of informed opinion now circulating that first-class postal rates are to go up from 3p to 4p in the autumn, and up to 5p on 1st January next, will my right hon. Friend undertake to see that the first to be informed whenever postal or parcel rates are changed is the House of Commons, and that it will not be done by administrative action in company with the B.B.C. or other agencies for the dissemination of news?
§ Mr. ChatawayI should not wish to lend any support to my hon. Friend's forecast about the first-class letter rate. The increases in overseas parcel rates were entirely consequential upon decisions taken about increases at the Tokyo Conference of the U.P.U. in 1969, and these international increases are similar for all countries.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieWill the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that if there is to be a further increase—and the right hon. Gentleman has said on several occasions that he did not think this would be necessary—the announcement of it will be made in the House in the first place?
1015 Second—and this backs up the point made by the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro)—we have all read in the newspapers that overseas parcel rates are to be increased, and we have now been told that the reason why no explanation has been given to the many firms affected by the increase—and many are—is that there have been printing difficulties in the Post Office, and therefore the Post Office has not been able to advise its customers of the change. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will direct the attention of the Post Office Board to these important questions.
§ Mr. ChatawayThe impending increases in overseas parcel rates were announced last year. The exact scale of the increases to each individual country depends upon the charges from other overseas administrations. The individual charges were coming in during April and May. The Post Office then has to notify its customers and to print a long list of overseas postal charges involved. I think that it probably could not have done it more quickly.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he should con gratulate his hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro)——
§ Sir G. NabarroHear, hear.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewis—because yesterday he said that the Government had increased food prices by 8½ per cent., and they are now to increase postal charges. The Government won the election on the promise of cutting prices at a stroke. Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that under this Government no prices will go up?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe increases in the overseas parcel charges are, as I have explained, entirely consequential upon increased charges abroad.
§ Sir G. NabarroOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment as early as possible.