§ 2.56 p.m.
§ Baroness YOUNGMy 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 to confirm that they have no intention for the foreseeable future of abandoning the parcel post service in the United Kingdom.
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I confirm that the Government have no such intention.
§ Baroness YOUNGMy Lords, while welcoming that reply from the Minister, may I ask him also to confirm that it is the intention to increase the cost of parcel post at the end of April by another 25 per cent., making a 145 per cent. increase in the cost of this service in the last 13 months, and that it is not the intention of the Government so to price the parcel post service that no one is able to afford to use it?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, the noble Baroness will know that the Post Office has put certain proposals regarding price increases for the parcel service to the Price Commission. My right 861 honourable friend is studying what the Price Commission and the Post Office Users' National Council have said in relation to that increase, but has not yet reached any decision.
Lord INGLEWOODMy Lords, can the noble Lord confirm that the Post Office now has a national agreement with the unions about modern operating machinery designed for the quicker handling of parcels and that all that expensive machinery at Birmingham which was standing idle for months is now being put to good use; and the same applies in other parts of the country?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I am afraid that I do not have any information about the matter which the noble Lord has raised.
§ Baroness YOUNGMy Lords, can the noble Lord tell us when he expects a reply as a result of these discussions between the Post Office and the Price Commission, in view of the uncertainty which has been created about the parcel post service? May I ask him also to confirm that the Post Office Users' National Council is being fully consulted over all the price increases and the basis on which they are made?
§ Lord MELCHETTMy Lords, I am sorry if the noble Baroness did not understand what I said. The Price Commission has made its view known to my right honourable friend, and indeed POUNC also has published its views, and both these views are being studied at the moment.