§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Postmaster-General taking June, 1957, as equalling 100 and the £ sterling at that date having a purchasing value of 20s., what has been the percentage rise in postal and telephone charges to date; and by how much in the £ sterling these charges have risen to date.
§ Mr. MawbyFrom June, 1957 to date, postal charges have increased by 31 per cent. (6s. 2d. in the £) and telecommunication charges by 22 per cent. (4s. 5d. in the £).
§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that since 208W October, 1951, postal charges have risen by l1s. 6d. in the £ sterling and telecommunications by 12s. l0d. in the £ sterling; what was the reason for these increases; and what action he proposes to take to reduce these charges.
§ Mr. MawbyThe increased charges were due to increasing costs. In particular, average rates of pay have more than doubled. There is no room for any overall reduction in the present level of charges.