Post Office Services (Increased Costs)

HC Deb 11 March 1971 vol 813 cc175-6W

Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1) what proportion of the increased cost of parcel post since 1964 is due to increases in wages;

(2) what proportion of the increased cost of telephone rentals since 1964 is due to increases in wages;

(3) what proportion of the increased cost of telephone calls since 1964 is due to increases in wages;

(4) what proportion of the increased cost of the first-class letter post since 1968 and the basic letter post since 1964 is due to increases in wages;

(5) what proportion of the increased cost of telegrams since 1964 is due to increases in wages.

Mr. Chataway

Information is not available in the precise form requested. Between 1964–65 and 1969–70 the postal price index rose by 47 per cent. and 55 per cent. of the underlying increase in expenditure was attributable to pay and pensions. The corresponding figures for the telecommunications service are 8 per cent. and 27 per cent. respectively.