HC Deb 12 November 1987 vol 122 cc214-5W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what level of investment is proposed in the Post Office for the years ending March 1988 and 1989.

Mr. Butcher

The Post Office (excluding Girobank, which is treated as a separate nationalised industry for the purposes of monitoring and control) has been given a capital allocation of £135 million for the year ending March 1988. The allocation for the year ending March 1989 will not be given until publication of the forthcoming public expenditure White Paper. But, as recorded in Cm. 56-II, for planning purposes capital spending of £123 million has been assumed.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representation he has received about the level of service provided by the Post Office.

Mr. Butcher

Since the election we have received some 70 such representations from hon. Members and others.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what funding is available to the Post Office for investment in new equipment; and how this compares with 1979 in real terms.

Mr. Butcher

The Post Office (excluding Girobank, which is treated as a separate nationalised industry for the purposes of monitoring and control) has been given a capital allocation of £135 million for 1987–88. In real terms this is some 22 per cent. higher than the Post Office's capital spending of £64 million in 1979–80.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many full and part-time staff are employed by the Post Office; and how this compares with 1979;

(2) by how much the first and second class post has increased in size since 1979.

Mr. Butcher

I refer my hon. Friend to the Post Office report and accounts 1986–87, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what are the pay scales currently in force in the Post Office; and how that compares with 1979 in real terms;

(2) what action has been taken to introduce modernisation in the Post Office since 1979.

Mr. Butcher

This is an operational matter for the Post Office Board.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is satisfied with the performance of the Post Office; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Butcher

The Post Office has made creditable and satisfactory progress in recent years in many aspects of its performance. But further improvement is necessary, particularly with regard to the quality of the services provided to its customers.