HL Deb 12 July 1977 vol 385 cc767-8

2.41 p.m.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My 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 when the report of the Post Office Review Committee will be published.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Industry hopes to publish the report later this month.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that somewhat unsatisfactory Answer, which means that we shall probably not be able to debate it this Session. May I ask whether the Government realise that in September 1976 the United States set up a similar commission—a copy of whose report I have in my hand—whose work was completed in April 1977, in just under seven months? Why has it taken the Carter Committee so long, it having been set up in November 1975? Lastly, can the noble Lord dispel the rumour that the report has been delayed until the Director of Postal Marketing, the Director of Mechanisation and the Managing Director of Posts have been replaced, because there might be adverse criticism of their organisation?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, all those are other questions.

Lord TAYLOR of GRYFE

My Lords, I want to ask the noble Lord what is the difference between the date of completion and the date of publication?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am afraid that I am unable—not unwilling—to answer the noble Lord's question.

Lord BYERS

My Lords, this is an important matter. Are we to see this report before the House rises on 27th July, if that is the date we are to rise?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I cannot say, but I will certainly bring the feelings of the House to the attention of my right honourable friend.

Lord TAYLOR of GRYFE

My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that it is desirable to have early publication of Government reports rather than to incur the danger of reading them in the Sunday newspapers?

Lord BYERS

My Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lord is able to give us any indication of the questions that he is prepared to answer?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I have been asked a simple Question to which I have given a simple Answer—later this month. Has the noble Lord no patience?