§ Mr. Chris Pattenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the increase in productivity achieved in the postal division of the Post Office in each of the last five years; and what increase in that division has been achieved since the corporation was split at the latest date for which figures are available.
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§ Mr. Wakeham:The change in productivity of the mails services, measured in ordinary letters and—weighted—parcels handled per man hour, was as follows:
Percentage 1976–77 –1.3 1977–78 +0.6 1978–79 +2.2 1979–80 –2.5 1980–81 +1.0 This series includes the man hours worked but not the new business volume arising from introduction, development and/or expansion of premium and circular delivery services over the period. Nor does it take account of the commitment to give delivery to an additional 1.2 million points.
Since the split of the corporation did not take place until 1 October 1981, figures on productivity for the post split period are not yet available.