HC Deb 20 March 1991 vol 188 c272
6. Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to denationalise the Post Office and end its letter monopoly.

Mr. Leigh

The Government remain fully committed to the existence of a national letter service with an affordable, uniform tariff structure available to everyone, including those in rural areas. Girobank has been transferred successfully to the private sector, but no other decisions about structural changes have been taken.

The Post Office's letter monopoly is a privilege, not a right. Although we keep the options under review, we have no present plans to alter the scope of the monopoly. However, in the event of a cessation or serious disruption to the letter services we would consider suspending it.

Mr. Janman

My hon. Friend will be aware that since the denationalisation of telecommunications and the introduction of competition to that industry, the price of making a telephone call has gone down in real terms. Is my hon. Friend aware that there will be considerable support on Conservative Benches if, when the Government consider the future of the Post Office, they take close account of experience to date through the privatisation of British Telecom?

Mr. Leigh

Although one might be able to admire my hon. Friend's radical zeal in seeking to privatise the Post Office, I suspect that it would be unwise at this stage for me to replicate it from the Dispatch Box.

Mr. Loyden

Recognising the Government's attitude to intervention in these matters, may I ask the Government to take into account the need for a Post Office building programme? Is he aware that in many constituencies pensioners have to queue outside in the cold months of December, January and February to get their pensions and so on? Will he take up that matter with the chairman of the Post Office?

Mr. Leigh

I am not sure what point the hon. Gentleman was making. Was he saying that he wishes the Post Office to be privatised? I know not. However, 94 per cent. of post offices are already privately run. The point of our continuing review of the Post Office is to improve structures. We are not looking at ownership alone. The most important thing is to improve the service to the public, and that is what we have always been concerned about.