§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement concerning the dispute between the Post Office and the Society of Post Officers Executives.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieNo. This is a matter for the Post Office, as employer, and the union concerned.
373W
§ Mr. Tom Kingasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what is the latest assumption of loss on postal services in 1974–75and 1975–76;
(2) what is the latest assumption of overall loss on the Post Office in 1974–75 and 1975–76.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe total deficit of the Post Office in 1974–75 is likely to be in line with the forecast of some £300 million which I gave in the debate last December on the Compensation for Limitation of Prices (Post Office) Order 1974. The element of this accounted for by the postal services is still estimated to be close to the £124 million I gave in my reply to the hon. Member on 19th February. As for 1975–76 I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 1st May to the hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine).—[Vol. 891, c.222.]