§ Queen's Recommendation having been signified—
§ Motion made, and Question put:—
§ That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to extend the powers of the Post Office to provide banking services, to
1272§ make capital available for the provision of those services and to reduce the capital debt of the Post Office, it is expedient to authorise—
- (a) the payment to the Post Office, out of moneys provided by Parliament, of sums to be used by it for the purposes of its banking services and the payment into the Consolidated Fund of sums paid by the Post Office in consideration of sums received or deemed to have been received by it for those purposes; and
- (b) the reduction, by an amount not exceeding £29.7 million and with effect from 1st April 1975, of the liability of the Post Office to repay the debts assumed by it under section 33(1) of the Post Office Act 1969 or incurred by it before 1st April 1975 under section 35(2) of that Act.—[Mr. Stoddart.]
§ The House divided: Ayes 286, Noes 247.
1275| Division No. 28.] | AYES | [10.13 p.m. |
| Allaun, Frank | Cant, R. B. | Dormand, J. D. |
| Anderson, Donald | Carmichael, Nell | Douglas-Mann, Bruce |
| Archer, Peter | Carter, Ray | Duffy, A. E. P. |
| Ashton, Joe | Carter-Jones Lewis | Dunn, James A. |
| Atkins, Ronald (Preston N) | Cartwright, John | Dunnett, Jack |
| Atkinson, Norman | Clemitson, Ivor | Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth |
| Bagier, Gordon A. T. | Cocks, Michael (Bristol S) | Eadie, Alex |
| Barnett, Rt Hon Joel (Heywood) | Cohen, Stanley | Edge, Geoff |
| Bates, Alf | Coleman, Donald | Edwards. Robert (Wolv SE) |
| Bean, R. E. | Colquhoun, Mrs Maureen | Ellis, John (Brigg & Scun) |
| Beith, A. J. | Conlan, Bernard | English, Michael |
| Benn, Rt Hon Anthony Wedgwood | Cook, Robin F. (Edin C) | Ennals, David |
| Bennett, Andrew (Stockport N) | Corbett, Robin | Evans, Gwynfor (Carmarthen) |
| Blenkinsop, Arthur | Craigen, J. M. (Maryhill) | Evans, loan (Aberdare) |
| Boardman, H. | Cronin, John | Ewing, Harry (Stirling) |
| Booth, Albert | Crosland, Rt Hon Anthony | Faulds, Andrew |
| Boothroyd, Miss Betty | Cryer, Bob | Fernyhough, Rt Hon E. |
| Bottomley, Rt Hon Arthur | Cunningham, G. (Islington S) | Fitch, Alan (Wigan) |
| Boyden, James (Bish Auck) | Cunningham, Dr J. (Whiteh) | Fitt, Gerard (Belfast W) |
| Bradley, Tom | Davidson, Arthur | Flannery, Martin |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Davies, Bryan (Enfield N) | Fletcher, Raymond (Ilkeston) |
| Brown, Hugh D. (Provan) | Davies, Denzil (Llanelli) | Fletcher, Ted (Darlington) |
| Brown, Robert C. (Newcastle W) | Davis, Clinton (Hackney C) | Foot, Rt Hon Michael |
| Brown, Ronald (Hackney S) | Deakins, Eric | Ford, Ben |
| Buchan, Norman | Dean, Joseph (Leeds W) | Forrester, John |
| Buchanan, Richard | Delargy, Hugh | Fowler, Gerald (The Wrekin) |
| Butler, Mrs Joyce (Wood Green) | Dell, Rt Hon Edmund | Fraser, John (Lambeth, N'w'd) |
| Callaghan, Jim (Middleton & P) | Dempsey, James | Freeson, Reginald |
| Campbell, Ian | Doig, Peter | Freud, Clement |
| Garrett, John (Norwich S) | McGuire, Michael (Ince) | Selby, Harry |
| Garrett, W. E. (Wallsend) | Mackenzie, Gregor | Shaw, Arnold (Ilford South) |
| George, Bruce | Mackintosh, John P. | Sheldon, Robert (Ashton-u-Lyne) |
| Gilbert, Dr John | Maclennan, Robert | Shore, Rt Hon Peter |
| Ginsburg, David | McMillan, Tom (Glasgow C) | Short, Rt Hon E. (Newcastle C) |
| Golding, John | McNamara, Kevin | Short, Mrs Renée (Wolv NE) |
| Gould, Bryan | Madden, Max | Silkin, Rt Hon John (Deptford) |
| Gourlay, Harry | Magee, Bryan | Silkin, Rt Hon S. C. (Dulwich) |
| Graham, Ted | Mahon, Simon | Sillars, James |
| Grant, George (Morpeth) | Mallalieu, J. P. W. | Silverman, Julius |
| Grant, John (Islington C) | Marks, Kenneth | Skinner, Dennis |
| Grocott, Bruce | Marquand, David | Small, William |
| Hamilton, James (Bothwell) | Marshall, Dr Edmund (Goole) | Smith, Cyril (Rochdale) |
| Hardy, Peter | Marshall, Jim (Leicester S) | Smith, John (N Lanarkshire) |
| Harper, Joseph | Maynard, Miss Joan | Snaps, Peter |
| Harrison, Walter (Wakefield) | Meacher, Michael | Spearing, Nigel |
| Hayman, Mrs Helene | Mellish, Rt Hon Robert | Spriggs, Leslie |
| Healey, Rt Hon Denis | Mendelson, John | Stallard, A. W. |
| Heffer, Eric S. | Mikardo, Ian | Steel, David (Roxburgh) |
| Hooley, Frank | Millan, Bruce | Stewart, Rt Hon M. (Futham) |
| Horam, John | Miller, Dr M. S. (E Kilbride) | Stoddart, David |
| Howell, Denis (B'ham, Sm H) | Miller, Mrs Millie (Ilford N) | Stott, Roger |
| Howells, Geraint (Cardigan) | Molloy, William | Strang, Gavin |
| Hoyle, Doug (Nelson) | Morris, Alfred (Wythenshawe) | Strauss, Rt Hon G. R. |
| Huckfield, Les | Morris, Charles R. (Openshaw) | Summerskill, Hon Dr Shirley |
| Hughes, Rt Hon C. (Anglesey) | Morris, Rt Hon J. (Aberavon) | Swain, Thomas |
| Hughes, Mark (Durham) | Mulley, Rt Hon Frederick | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Bolton W) |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) | Murray, Rt Hon Ronald King | Thomas, Dafydd (Merioneth) |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport) | Newens, Stanley | Thomas, Jeffrey (Abertillery) |
| Hunter, Adam | Noble, Mike | Thomas, Mike (Newcastle E) |
| Irvine, Rt Hon Sir A. (Edge Hill) | Oakes, Gordon | Thomas, Ron (Bristol NW) |
| Irving, Rt Hon S. (Dartford) | Ogden, Eric | Thorne, Stan (Preston South) |
| Jackson, Colin (Brighouse) | O'Halloran, Michael | Thorpe, Rt Hon Jeremy (N Devon) |
| Janner, Greville | Orbach, Maurice | Tierney, Sydney |
| Jeger, Mrs Lena | Orme, Rt Hon Stanley | Tinn, James |
| Jenkins, Hugh (Putney) | Ovenden, John | Tomlinson, John |
| Jenkins, Rt Hon Roy (Stechford) | Owen, Dr David | Tuck, Raphael |
| John, Brynmor | Padley, Walter | Urwin, T. W. |
| Johnson, James (Hull West) | Palmer, Arthur | Varley, Rt Hon Eric G. |
| Johnson, Walter (Derby S) | Pardoe, John | Wainwright, Edwin (Dearne V) |
| Jones, Alec (Rhondda) | Park, George | Wainwright, Richard (Coine V) |
| Jones, Barry (East Flint) | Parker, John | Walden, Brian (B'ham, L'dyw'd) |
| Jones, Dan (Burnley) | Parry, Robert | Walker, Harold (Doncaster) |
| Judd, Frank | Pavitt, Laurie | Walker, Terry (Kingswood) |
| Kaufman, Gerald | Pendry, Tom | Ward, Michael |
| Kelley, Richard | Penhaligon, David | Watkins, David |
| Kerr, Russell | Perry, Ernest | Watkinson, John |
| Kilroy-Silk, Robert | Phipps, Dr Colin | Weetch, Ken |
| Kinnock, Nell | Prentice, Rt Hon Reg | Wellbeloved, James |
| Lambie, David | Price, C. (Lewisham W) | White, Frank R. (Bury) |
| Lamborn, Harry | Price, William (Rugby) | White, James (Pollok) |
| Lamond, James | Radice, Giles | Whitehead, Phillip |
| Latham, Arthur (Paddington) | Rees, Rt Hon Merlyn (Leeds S) | Whitlock, William |
| Leadbitter, Ted | Richardson, Miss Jo | Wigley, Dafydd |
| Lee, John | Roberts, Albert (Normanton) | William, Alan (Swansea W) |
| Lestor, Miss Joan (Eton & Slough) | Roberts, Gwilym (cannock) | Williams, Alan Lee (Hornch'ch) |
| Lewis, Arthur (Newham N) | Robertson, John (Paisley) | Williams, W. T. (Warrington) |
| Lewis, Ron (Carlisle) | Roderick, Caerwyn | Wilson, Alexander (Hamilton) |
| Lipton, Marcus | Rodgers, George (Chorley) | Wilson, Rt Hon H. (Huyton) |
| Litterick, Tom | Rodgers, William (Stockton) | Wise, Mrs Audrey |
| Loyden, Eddie | Rooker, J. W. | Woodall, Alec |
| Luard, Evan | Roper, John | Woof, Robert |
| Lyon, Alexander (York) | Rose, Paul B. | Wrigglesworth, Ian |
| Lyons, Edward (Bradford W) | Ross, Stephen (Isle of Wight) | |
| Mabon, Dr J. Dickson | Ross, Rt Hon W. (Kilmarnock) | TELLERS FOR THE AYES |
| McCartney, Hugh | Rowlands, Ted | Mr. Thomas Cox and |
| McElhone, Frank | Sandelson, Neville | Miss Margaret Jackson. |
| MacFarquhar, Roderick | Sedgemore, Brian | |
| NOES | ||
| Aitken, Jonathan | Blaker, Peter | Butler, Adam (Bosworth) |
| Alison, Michael | Boscawen, Hon Robert | carlisle, Mark |
| Amery, Rt Hon Julian | Bottomley, Peter | Carson, John |
| Arnold, Tom | Bowden, A. (Brighton, Kemptown) | Chalker, Mrs Lynda |
| Atkins, Rt Hon H. (Spelthorne) | Boyson, Dr Rhodes (Brent) | Channon, Paul |
| Awdry, Daniel | Bradford, Rev Robert | Churchill, W. S. |
| Bain, Mrs Margaret | Brittan, Leon | Clark, Alan (Plymouth, Sutton) |
| Baker, Kenneth | Brotherton, Michael | Clark, William (Croydon S) |
| Banks, Robert | Brown, Sir Edward (Bath) | Clarke, Kenneth (Rushcliffe) |
| Bennett, Sir Frederic (Torbay) | Bryan, Sir Paul | Clegg, Walter |
| Bennett, Dr Reginald (Fareham) | Buchanan-Smith, Alick | Cockcroft, John |
| Benyon, W. | Buck, Antony | Cooke, Robert (Bristol W) |
| Biffen, John | Budgen, Nick | Cope, John |
| Biggs-Davison, John | Bulmer, Esmond | Corrie, John |
| Costain, A. P. | Jessel, Toby | Price, David (Eastleigh) |
| Crawford, Douglas | Johnson Smith, G. (E Grinstead) | Prior, Rt Hon James |
| Critchley, Julian | Kaberry, Sir Donald | Raison, Timothy |
| Crouch, David | Kershaw, Anthony | Rathbone, Tim |
| Crowder F. P. | Kilfedder, James | Rawlinson, Rt Hon Sir Peter |
| Davies Rt Hon J. (Knutsford) | Kimball, Marcus | Rees, Peter (Dover & Deal) |
| Dean, Paul (N Somerset) | King, Evelyn (South Dorset) | Rees-Davies, W. R. |
| Dodsworth, Geoffrey | King, Tom (Bridgwater) | Reid, George |
| Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James | Kitson, Sir Timothy | Renton, Rt Hon Sir D. (Hunts) |
| Drayson, Burnaby | Knight, Mrs Jill | Renton, Tim (Mid-Sussex) |
| du Cann, Rt Hon Edward | Knox, David | Ridley, Hon Nicholas |
| Dunlop, John | Lamont, Norman | Ridsdale, Julian |
| Durant, Tony | Langford-Holt, Sir John | Rifkind, Malcolm |
| Dykes, Hugh | Latham, Michael (Melton) | Rippon, Rt Hon Geoffrey |
| Eden, Rt Hon Sir John | Lawrence, Ivan | Roberts, Wyn (Conway) |
| Edwards, Nicholas (Pembroke) | Lawson, Nigel | Ross, William (Londonderry) |
| Elliott Sir William | Le Marchant, Spencer | Rossi, Hugh (Hornsey) |
| Emery, Peter | Lester, Jim (Beeston) | Rost, Peter (SE Derbyshire) |
| Eyre, Reginald | Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) | Royle, Sir Anthony |
| Farr, John | Lloyd, Ian | Sainsbury, Tim |
| Finsberg, Geoffrey | Loveridge, John | Shaw, Giles (Pudsey) |
| Fisher, Sir Nigel | Luce, Richard | Shelton, William (Streatham) |
| Fletcher-Cooke, Charles | McAdden, Sir Stephen | Shepherd, Colin |
| Fookes, Miss Janet | MacCormick, lain | Shersby, Michael |
| Fowler, Norman (Sutton C'f'd) | McCrindle, Robert | Silvester, Fred |
| Fry Peter | Macfarlane, Nell | Sinclair, Sir George |
| Galbraith, Hon T. G. D. | MacGregor, John | Skeet, T. H. H. |
| Gardiner, George (Reigate) | McNair-Wilson, M. (Newbury) | Speed, Keith |
| Gilmour, Rt Hon Ian (Chesham) | McNair-Wilson, P. (New Forest) | Spence, John |
| Gilmour, Sir John (East Fife) | Madel, David | Spicer, Michael (S Worcester) |
| Glyn, Dr Alan | Marshall, Michael (Arundel) | Sproat, lain |
| Goodhart, Philip | Mates, Michael | Stanbrook, Ivor |
| Goodhew, Victor | Mather, Carol | Stanley, John |
| Gorst, John | Maudling, Rt Hon Reginald | Stewart, Donald (Western Isles) |
| Gow, Ian (Eastbourne) | Mawby, Ray | Stokes, John |
| Gower, Sir Raymond (Barry) | Maxwell-Hyslop, Robin | Tapsell, Peter |
| Grant, Anthony (Harrow C) | Maxwell-Hyslop, Robin | Taylor, R. (Croydon NW) |
| Gray, Hamish | Meyer, Sir Anthony | Taylor, Teddy (Cathcart) |
| Grieve, Percy | Miller, Hal (Bromsgrove) | Tebbit, Norman |
| Griffiths, Eldon | Miscampbell, Norman | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| Grist, Ian | Mitchell, David (Basingstoke) | Thomas, Rt Hon P. (Hendon S) |
| Hall, Sir John | Moate, Roger | Thompson, George |
| Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury) | Molyneaux, James | Townsend, Cyril D. |
| Hampson, Dr Keith | Monro, Hector | Trotter, Neville |
| Hannam, John | Montgomery, Fergus | Tugendhat, Christopher |
| Harvie Anderson, Rt Hon Miss | Moore, John (Croydon C) | van Straubenzee, W. R. |
| Hastings, Stephen | More, Jasper (Ludlow) | Vaughan, Dr Gerard |
| Havers, Sir Michael | Morgan, Geraint | Viggers, Peter |
| Hayhoe, Barney | Morrison, Hon Peter (Chester) | Walder, David (Clitheroe) |
| Heath, Rt Hon Edward | Mudd, David | Walker, Rt Hon P. (Worcester) |
| Henderson, Douglas | Neave, Airey | Wall, Patrick |
| Heseltine, Michael | Nelson, Anthony | Walters, Dennis |
| Hicks, Robert | Neubert, Michael | Warren, Kenneth |
| Higgins, Terence L. | Newton, Tony | Watt, Hamish |
| Holland, Philip | Normanton, Tom | Weatherill, Bernard |
| Hordern, Philip | Nott, John | Wells, John |
| Howe, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey | Onslow, Cranley | Welsh, Andrew |
| Howell, David (Guildford) | Oppenheim, Mrs Sally | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Howell, Ralph (North Norfolk) | Page, John (Harrow West) | Wilson, Gordon (Dundee E) |
| Hunt, John | Page, Rt Hon R. Graham (Crosby) | Winterton, Nicholas |
| Hurd, Douglas | Parkinson, Cecil | Wood, Rt Hon Richard |
| Hutchison, Michael Clark | Pattie, Geoffrey | Young, Sir G. (Eating, Acton) |
| Irvine, Bryant Godman (Rye) | Percival Ian | |
| Irving, Charles (Cheltenham) | Peyton, Rt Hon John | TELLERS FOR THE NOES: |
| James, David | Pink, R. Bonner | Mr. Anthony Berry and |
| Jenkin, Rt Hon P. (Wanst'd & W'df'd) | Powell, Rt Hon J. Enoch | Mr. Michael Roberts. |
§ Question accordingly agreed to.