§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what authority the Post Office introduced a scheme of fund-raising for charity into the postal arrangements for Christmas; what has been the yeild of the levy on Christmas postal stamps; how much of the money collected is being deducted by the Post Office for administration before being handed over to Charities Aid Foundation and whether it is proposed that a list of beneficiaries from this appeal will be published.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Employment (Lord Strathclyde)This is an operation matter for the Post Office. It has general powers under Section 7(2) of the Post Office Act 1969 to do anything which appears to it to be advantageous or convenient in connection with its power to provide postal services in Section 7(1). I understand that although final figures will not be available until the end of February the yield to date on the surcharge is in excess of £0.5 million 10 per cent, of which will be deducted for administration. A list of charities to benefit will be published by the Charities Aid Foundation at the end of April.