§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Post Office intends to meet rising costs by increasing its efficiency or by raising its charges.]
§ LORD HOBSONMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Postmaster General is not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, may I thank the Minister for that Answer and ask him whether he has considered this: what would happen if Her Majesty's Government practised what they preached?
§ LORD HOBSONMy Lords, in every respect up to the moment I think Her Majesty's Government are practising what they preach.
§ BARONESS HORSBRUGHMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether they are doing so on the subjects of electricity in England and gas in Scotland?
LORD INGLEWOODMy Lords, may I ask whether the noble Lord's attention has been drawn to British Rail, where fares were raised yesterday and, if anything, efficiency reduced?
§ LORD HOBSONMy Lords, it is part of my present duty to answer for the Post Office, but not for British Rail.
§ LORD BLYTONMy Lords is the Minister not aware that much of the increases in price of electricity and gas are due to the late Conservative Government's financial provision for nationalised industries?
§ LORD HOBSONMy Lords, I agree.