HL Deb 14 May 1952 vol 176 cc953-4

2.37 p.m.

THE EARL OF LUCAN

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Listowel, I beg to ask the Question standing in his name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to make a further increase in the price of the Post Office Magazine, and, if so, what the new price will be.]

THE POSTMASTER - GENERAL (EARL DE LA WARR)

My Lords, before the war, the Post Office Magazine was sold at 1d. and there was a loss of over £6,000 a year. Publication was stopped during the war and was started again in 1946, when it was found necessary, owing to increased costs, to raise the price to 2d. At this price there was an annual loss of about £5,000. Since then, costs have risen very quickly, and although a further increase in price was delayed as long as possible, eventually the price had to be raised to 3d. Even at this price, it is estimated that there will be a loss of about £5,000 on the years working, unless the circulation can be substantially increased. Wages and costs of paper and printing have already risen very considerably above the 1950–51 level, and it has again become necessary to review the price of the Magazine. No decision has yet been reached, but the Post Office Magazine is such a useful publication, particularly because it helps the Post Office staff to keep in touch with the activities of the Department and of their colleagues, that I should be extremely reluctant to agree to a further increase in price.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

I am grateful to the noble Earl for his reply and for what he said about the importance of this Magazine as a means of keeping the scattered staff of the Post Office alive to their sense of common purpose and unity. I hope that the noble Earl will do his utmost in an endeavour to carry out what he has already said he would do—that is, to see that the price does not rise to a point at which the circulation would be seriously affected.

EARL DE LA WARR

I can give the noble Earl that firm assurance.

LORD GREENHILL

My Lords, could the noble Earl say what the fluctuation in the circulation has been at the different prices?

EARL DE LA WARR

I can tell the noble Lord that since the last increase in price, which was at the end of last year, the sales have fallen from (in round figures) 142,600 to 134,000, which was a drop of about 8,600. That is a serious fall, and one that we should not wish to see continued.