§ LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICKMy 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 what was the total cost to public funds of the Post Office "Think Tank" between the dates of its inception and abolition, what, if any, were the constructive proposals generated by the "Tank", and which proposals have been, or are about to be, implemented.]
§ LORD DENHAMMy Lords, these are matters for the Post Office. No cost to public funds is involved.
§ LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICKMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask whether he could perhaps give your Lordships a little more information? Is this a matter which the Post Office Board are sensitive about and to which they do not wish to have attention drawn? And are we to assume that the "Think Tank" set up with the approval of the previous Administration has produced precisely nothing?
§ LORD DENHAMNo, my Lords, the noble Lord is not to assume anything from my remarks other than what I have said. Under the 1969 Post Office Act the Post Office is responsible for the management of its own affairs and is entitled to engage whatever consultants and advisers it may deem necessary, without reference to the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.