§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the percentage change in real postage prices is for(a) first and (b) second class letters over the last (i) five, (ii) 10 and (iii) 20 years; and what these prices would be in today's money; [36261]
(2) what figures she has collated on the cost of sending a first class letter weighing (a) 50 grams and (b) 60 grams in each European Union country. [36256]
§ Mr. Alexander[holding answer 14 February 2002]: I am informed by Consignia that the percentage change in real postage prices is as follows:
Years First class basic weight step percentage Second class basic weight step percentage 0–5 8.5 16.3 0–10 9.5 16.3 0–20 15.7 27.8 First and second basic weight step prices in September 2001 prices are:
Pence Years ago First Second Current 27.0 19.0 5 29.5 22.7 10 29.8 22.7 20 32.0 26.3