asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of the little National Economic Development Council for the Post Office; and when he expects to publish its first report.

This Economic Development Committee is holding its second meeting today. It has a substantial programme of work ahead of it and has started by taking up questions of productivity and the growth of Post Office communications services within the context of the National Plan. The Committee will decide how and when to publish an account of its work.