§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many Crown post offices and sub-post offices there are in Great Britain; what total numbers of staff are employed in each category; what are the total operating costs, and the wage and salary costs of each, respectively; and how these costs reflect business done or turnover.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieMuch of the information sought by the hon. Member will be published shortly in the Post Office Report and Accounts for 1974–75. Those published last year show that as at 31st March 1974 there were 1,607 Crown offices and 22,276 scale payment sub offices.
Staff employed in post offices in all capacities numbered 34,986 and there were 22,127 sub-postmasters, employed on an agency basis.
Total operating costs of post offices was £151,463,000, of which £87,805,000 was accounted for by pay and pensions and £59,440,000 by sub-postmasters' remuneration.
Figures of income are published on the basis of business activities, and management statistics relating to the allocation of these as between Crown and other offices is a matter for the Post Office. I am drawing the attention of the Chairman of the Post Office to the hon. Member's Question.