§ 11. Mr. Crawshawasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office Corporation to have a reduced charge in respect of redirecting mail and the re-installation of telephones when this has been brought about by the rehousing of a family under a compulsory purchase order.
§ Mr. ChatawayNo, Sir. I understand that bodies acquiring property by compulsory purchase have discretionary powers to reimburse such costs in appropriate cases.
§ Mr. CrawshawIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have in mind people who are being sent as far as Liverpool and who do not wish to go there, or leave their homes anyway? Does he appreciate that it is an added imposition when, on having to leave their homes, they are made to pay yet again for the installation of a telephone at the new premises? Will he examine this matter afresh?
§ Mr. ChatawayIt would not be reasonable to expect the Post Office to meet the increased costs thus incurred. However, as I say, the bodies which acquire property by compulsory purchase have discretionary powers to make reimbursement where appropriate.
§ Mr. HefferWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many elderly people cannot get reimbursement from anyone although the telephone is of the greatest importance to them? They face a tremendous problem if, because of being obliged to leave their homes, they 701 have to pay for their telephones to be re-installed? Will he re-examine this matter and see that something is done to help these people?
§ Mr. ChatawayIt is reasonable that this should be a charge on the community and not on the Post Office. It is more fitting that the bodies which are doing the compulsory acquisition should have power to compensate.