Mr. Cockroftasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the estimated revenue earned by postal business during the first half of its financial year 1975–76; and how this compares with the same period of the previous year.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe Post Office does not publish this information half yearly. The full year figures were published in the 1975–76 Post Office Annual Report and Accounts.
§ Mr. Cockcroftasked the Secretary of State for Industry what criteria he proposes to lay down for recruitment to each of the Post Office posts for which he is responsible.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldMy right hon. Friend's objective will be to secure the best appointment possible for each vacancy, taking account of the particular needs of each post and the need to ensure the overall balance of the Board.
§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to exclude any telephone subscribers who are registered as blind persons from any charge which may be introduced for the use of directory services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldNo. A direction would not be appropriate, but the Post Office is still discussing the possibility of making such a charge with the Post Office Users' National Council, and it would be wrong to anticipate their conclusions. The Post Office has said that it fully recognises the problem such a charge would present for the blind, and is examining what special measures it might be possible to make for them should it be decided to go ahead.