§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Postmaster-General if he will give the proportions of letters which have been sent by the 5d. and 4d. posts, respectively, for each week since the scheme was introduced, together with the estimates for the same periods which were available to him before the scheme was introduced.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe proportions of first class (5d.) and second class (4d.) for each week since the introduction of the new letter post were as follows:
Week ending Percentage First Class Percentage Second Class 22nd September, 1968 25.5 74.5 29th September, 1968 27.8 72.2 6th October, 1968 29.8 70.2 13th October, 1968 31.1 68.9 20th October, 1968 31.4 68.6 27th October, 1968 32.1 67.9 3rd November, 1968 32.8 67.2 10th November, 1968 32.0 68.0 17th November, 1968 32.0 68.0 24th November, 1968 32.2 67.8 1st December, 1968 33.3 66.7 7th December, 1968 32.9 67.1 14th December, 1968 28.1* 71.9* 21st December, 1968 16.6* 83.4* 28th December, 1968 29.2* 70.8* 4th January, 1969 32.2 67.8 11th January, 1969 31.8 68.2 18th January, 1969 32.1 67.9 * Percentages affected by Christmas. The only forecast made prior to the introduction of the scheme was that given in Appendix I of Report No. 58 of the National Board for Prices and Incomes (Cmnd. 3574), viz., 32 per cent. first class and 68 per cent. second class.