§ 22. Mr. Gorstasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will introduce legislation to amend the Post Office Act. 1969, so that the exercise of the Post Office's monopoly as set out in Section 24 of that Act is transferred to the Minister.
§ Mr. ChatawayI have no present plans for such legislation.
§ Mr. GorstDoes my right hon. Friend recall that in the last Parliament the Conservative Opposition opposed this example of blanket monopoly. Does he agree that it is the habit of our party when in government to honour the views it held in opposition? Will he undertake to look 406 again at the problem, as it relates to the infrastructure, upon which a great deal of the efficiency of the country depends?
§ Mr. ChatawayA number of features of the Act would no doubt be different if the present Administration had put it on the Statute Book. But I do not have plans for any legislation. As my hon. Friend knows, I will continue to keep the scope of the monopoly under review, and quite important changes were announced to him in an answer the other day.