§ 104. Mr. Goodhartasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether, in view of the time that will be needed to deal with the quantity of mail that has been building up during the postal strike, he will give a general direction to the Post Office Board to delay the introduction of the increased postal charges.
§ 105. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if, in view of the postal strike and the fact that users' stocks of stamps are unlikely to be used before Decimal Day, he will issue a general direction to the Post Office Corporation to accept pre-decimal stamps for postage at pre-decimal rates after Decimal Day for a period at least equivalent to the period of the dispute.
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§ Mr. ChatawayI would refer to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester on 1st February.—[Vol. 810, c.256.]
§ 106. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether the statement in the pamphlet issued by the Decimal Currency Board to the effect that pre-decimal stamps may be used after Decimal Day at pre-decimal postage rates was published with his approval.
§ Mr. ChatawayMy approval was not sought or needed. I understand, incidentally, that a correction slip is included in the booklet.
§ 108. Mr. Goldingasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what steps he intends to take to assist towards the ending of the national postal strike.
§ Mr. ChatawayOf course, I will assist in any way I can, but, as the hon. Member knows, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment is keeping in touch with both sides and will report developments to the House.