§ 83. Mr. Winterbottomasked the Postmaster-General what increases of Post Office charges were imposed in 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1956; and what additional revenue was obtained by these charges in each of those years.
§ 85 and 86. Mr. G. Robertsasked the Postmaster-General (1) how many increases have taken place in Post Office charges since January, 1952; what is the total annual effect of the increases in terms of revenue; and what annual surplus he is budgeting for by the proposed increase in charges;
(2) what amount of the revenue from increased charges made for Post Office services have been directed to meeting the 81W increased cost of materials and the in creased cost of wages, respectively, for each of the last five years.
(A) POST OFFICE TARIFF CHANGES, 1952 TO 1956 Operative Dare Service Details of Changes 31st March, 1952 Inland Parcels … … … Various increases up to 4d. 1st May, 1952 Inland letters … … … No change up to 4 oz. but each subsequent 2 oz. increased from ½d. to 1d. 1st May, 1952 Extra European Air Mail … … Various increases. 1st May, 1952 Registration and Insurance Fees … 2d. increase at each step of the scale. 1st July, 1952 Exchange lines and Inland private wires. Rentals increased to 50 per cent. above prewar levels. Subscribers' Local Calls … … Free call allowance reduced from 100 to 50 units a half year. Miscellaneous telephone services … Various increases. 1st Aug. 1952 Postal Orders … … … Poundage increases ranging from ½d. to 2d. 1st Sept. 1952 Overseas Telegrams … … Various increases. 1st Oct. 1952 International Telex Calls … … Various increases. 1st Jan. 1953 Overseas private wires … … Various increases in rentals. 7th April. 1953 Inland parcels … … … Increase of 1d. at each step of the weight scale. 12th April. 1954 Inland parcels … … … Increases of 1d., 2d., or 3d. 1st Aug. 1954 Inland telegrams … … … Main change: From 1s. 6d. for 12 words plus 1½d. per word to 3s. 0d. for 12 words plus 3d. per word. 1955 … … … … … No tariff changes. 1956 … … … … … Tariff changes as stated in "Report on Post Office Development and Finance" (Cmd. 9576) and in HANSARD, 11 April, 1956, cols. 219–220. 82W
(B) YIELD OF TARIFF CHANGES, 1952–53 TO 1956–57, AND INCREASED COSTS DURING SAME PERIOD The full year effect of the above tariff changes and or increased costs of materials, etc., and wages during the 5-year period was as follows:— Year Increased Tariffs Increased cost of wages Increased cost of materials, etc. £m. £m. £m. per annum per annum per annum 1952–53 … … … 17 20 2 1953–54 … … … 1 4 1 1954–55 … … … 3 12 2 1955–56 … … … 26 16 5 1956–57 … … … 21 15 16 68 67 26
Dr. HillI am budgeting for a surplus of £3 million for the present year. The following are the details: