asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether it is Government policy that nationalised industries should benefit from increased revenue when they become less efficient; and if she will refer to the Director General of Fair Trading and Competition the Post Office practice of charging consumers more for telephone calls which can be shown to have had to be made through an operator because of the breakdown of STD facilities.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "No". The Post Office Users' National Council is at present looking into the question of operator connected calls and, I understand, is considering the particular issue raised by the hon. Member.