§ Mr. Forthasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he will take to safeguard postal services in the light of the recent disruption of the mail service in central London and the threat of national industrial actions.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIt is primarily for the Post Office Board to deal with industrial action by its employees.. However, subject to certain derogations, the Post Office enjoys the exclusive privilege of providing a letter service in the United Kingdom. The Government consider that such a privilege must continually be justified, and powers are available to suspend the monopoly. The monopoly is long established and we would not lightly suspend the privilege. But Ministers have stated on a number of occasions that we would use those powers in the event of industrial action within the Post Office that resulted in a cessation or serious decline in the quality of service. I confirm that that remains our policy and I would suspend the monopoly in such circumstances but I do not believe that the problems in London's west central district have yet reached the stage of sufficient gravity to justify that step.