asked the Postmaster-General (1) when he will make a statement on the White Paper on Broadcasting;

(2) what negotiations he has had with the British Broadcasting Corporation to keep the licence fee at £5 until 1968.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress he has made in his consideration of setting up a Viewers and Listeners Council.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now make a statement on the proposals he will introduce to replace facilities provided by pirate radio stations by balanced programmes of light entertainment to be broadcast under the auspices of a public authority.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will publish his White Paper on the Government's Broadcasting Policy.

asked the Postmaster General when it is now intended to produce the White Paper indicating the Government's future policy with regard to sound broadcasting.

With permission I will answer this Question and Questions Nos. 2, 8, 12, 23 and 54 together.

I have nothing to add at present to my reply last week to the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) and other hon. Gentlemen.—[Vol. 737, c. 454.]

I refer specifically to Question No. 2. Has the right hon. Gentleman studied the Press conference held by Lord Normanbrook and the very different complexion it placed on the then Postmaster-General's remarks of 3rd March? As it is clear that some deal was come to with Lord Normanbrook by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor to hold the B.B.C. licence fee, would it not be fair that details be given to the House?

I quite agree. I have seen press reports of the B.B.C. Press conference on publication of its annual report. The whole of the details of the negotiations with the B.B.C. and the financial arrangements at which we have arrived will appear in the White Paper, which will be out very shortly.

I thank my right hon. Friend for his courtesy in writing to me on this subject, but may I ask him, in his proposals, to do nothing to upset the public aspect of radio broadcasting?

I did give that assurance some time ago to the House and I reaffirm that I shall preserve the public service aspect of sound broadcasting.

The right hon. Gentleman has refused to give an assurance that the White Paper will be published before the Bill to deal with pirate radio stations is debated, while the Leader of the House has unequivocally given that assurance. Which Minister are we expected to believe?

I am not responsible for what my right hon. Friend says and he is not responsible for what I say. I simply answer questions put to me.

I know that the Government have had difficulty in forecasting within a year the date of the publication of the White Paper but, as there are only 10 Parliamentary days before Christmas, cannot the right hon. Gentleman name the day?

I cannot. Printing is a long process but I assure the hon. Gentleman that I will try to keep my promise. I did not give a specific promise on the subject. I said that I would do my best to get it out before the House rises for Christmas.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, even if the B.B.C. licence were raised to £6, it would still be one of the cheapest in the world?

indicated assent.

asked the Postmaster-General how many people have either written to or petitioned him on behalf of the pirate radio stations.

Over the past few months, I have received about 3,000 letters and 15,000 names on petition forms.

As a lot of these come from outlying areas, what does the Postmaster-General propose to do to help these listeners when the pirate radio stations close down?

The hon. Gentleman must await the White Paper. To deal with the contents of the hon. Member's Question, he will be interested to know that one of my hon. Friends recently analysed the names on a petition. The Chartists' Petition paled into insignificance against the fraudulent nature of this petition.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that I have had complaints from traders in my constituency, being pestered by representatives of Radio Scarborough, seeking advertising revenue? How much longer are these disreputable people to be allowed to carry on with this?

Radio Scarborough is the one about which I read a letter about the Scarborough lifeboat in the House last time I answered a Question on this matter. It is also the one which the hon. Gentleman the Member for Howden (Mr. Bryan) visited, with such a fanfare of trumpets recently.

asked the Postmaster-General what effect Radio Albania is having on the reception of British Broadcasting Corporation sound broadcasts.

Radio Albania is causing severe interference after dark to the B.B.C. Light Programme broadcast on 247 metres from the Brookmans Park, Moorside Edge and Newcastle transmitters. It causes somewhat less interference to transmissions on 247 metres from other B.B.C. stations.

What steps is the hon. Gentleman taking to ensure that European transmissions do not interfere with broadcasts from this country?

We are in a difficulty here, because we have no diplomatic relations with Albania. Any diplomatic approach must be made through the French Government. The Post Office has written to this station on the technical level, but so far we have not received a reply.

Would my right hon. Friend say why he thinks that some hon. Members opposite are so concerned about interference by Radio Albania and are so little concerned with interference caused by pirate stations about which nine European stations have complaints?

The Devil himself knoweth not the mind of the party opposite.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will initiate research into the possibility of supplying each new dwelling with a combined telephone, television and radio cable.

A scheme using a common cable for broadcast distribution and individual wires for telephone is already being studied, and will be given a trial in a future new town. The possibilities of a combined system such as my hon. Friend suggests, are also being examined as part of our longer term programme.

In thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer—and I yield to no one in my appreciation of his zeal for technological advance—may I ask whether he is in a position to give a date when these things will be put to some practical test?

We are at present costing this possibility. It is a very attractive idea. It can do away with all the unsightly television aerials. The one lead will serve for sound broadcasting, television, telephone, the reading of meters, and so on. We intend to try this out in an appropriate new town in the near future. I am sorry that I cannot give a date when it will be done, but we are pressing on with it.

Is it necessary to make any lengthy experiments with this system? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that combined radio and telephone wires have been common practice in Switzerland for years?

This is a much more sophisticated one than the Swiss. It is necessary to have a field experiment. The costing is rather more complicated than at first appeared, but we are going into it carefully.

asked the Postmaster-General what is his estimate of the numbers of people evading the television licence fee in the Bristol area; what percentage this number is of the total number or estimated number of sets in the area; and how this compares with the national numbers.

asked the Postmaster-General what estimate he has made of the number of television sets in Scotland being operated without licences; and what steps he is taking to deal with the culprits.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation requiring wireless and television licences to be produced when television sets are sold or rented.

As I told my hon. Friends the Members for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) and The Hartlepools (Mr. Leadbitter) on 16th November, I am discussing with the various trade associations concerned ways of enlisting their mem- bers' help. I intend to bring legislation before Parliament at an early date. I have made no estimates of the number of licence evaders in particular areas. The national number is estimated at 2 million.—[Vol. 736, Col. 127.]

Will my right hon. Friend, in recognition of the anti-social nature of this offence, take immediate steps to enforce the existing arrangements? Many people are getting an excellent service, and excellent enjoyment, while a rather large selfish minority is getting the service without paying for it, and this should be stopped.

I agree about the small selfish minority. The fact is that 12s. of the licence fee goes to make up for what is lost by people avoiding paying for licences. There is no method of enforcing it rigidly at the present time, and I shall very soon bring legislation before the House to deal with this.

Can my right hon. Friend say what has been the increase in the last few months in the number of detector vans available, first, in England and Wales, and, secondly, in Scotland? Does not my right hon. Friend think that it would be a sound investment to increase the number still further if this will result in a considerable increase in detection?

Yes, Sir. We are at present doubling the number from six to twelve. I am not sure how far we had got and and how many of these are in service.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that rental companies should be required immediately to notify the Post Office of their current subscribers? Secondly, does my right hon. Friend agree that contact with retailers could help to avoid £10 million worth of evasion a year, which is most unfair to those who pay their licence fees?

I agree with the hon. Member's second point. With regard to the first, this is an idea that we are looking at, and it is probably one that we shall adopt.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many people in my constituency pay their television licence fee but cannot get any reception?

This is a perpetual problem which has bothered Governments ever since we have had broadcasting. I understand that the hon. Gentleman has a Question down on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether post offices in the Liverpool district are to close at 5.30 p.m.; and, in view of the hardship and inconvenience to the residents of Ormskirk and surrounding district, whether he will arrange for some of these offices to stay open until a later hour.

asked the Postmaster-General why the post office at Swanage is now to close at 4.30 p.m. instead of 5.30 p.m. on Saturdays.

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received on the recent curtailment of Post Office hours; and if, in view of these representations, he will reconsider these hours.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the representations he has received, he will reconsider his decision to institute early closing on Saturdays of Richmond Post Office.

I have received representations from several hon. Members, local authorities and others.

The changes in hours are part of the drive we are making to cope with rising costs and manpower problems and I am afraid they must go on. I have looked carefully into the position in Ormskirk, Richmond and Swanage; I am satisfied that the circumstances are not such that I should be justified in making an exception to the new general closing times of 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 4.30 p.m. Saturday. In Liverpool, however, three Post Offices, which are amongst the busiest in the country, are to stay open until 6 p.m. or 6.30 p.m. Monday to Friday: other offices are closing at 5.30 p.m.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that his reply will give great dissatisfaction to a great number of people all over the country? Is he aware that, in the Ormskirk area, there are probably a greater number of salesmen and travellers than anywhere else in the North-West, that they do not finish work until after 5.30 and that to have no postal facilities or post office open presents a great many problems to them? Will he look at this again?

The hon. Gentleman will also realise that in most of our operations in the Post Office the ratio of labour costs is very high indeed. Virtually the only way we can economise in many of these services is on labour. That is one of the objectives in these operations. The other, of course, is to make work in the Post Office more attractive to try and get more labour.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman concede that Swanage—and other towns like it—is a special case because its population increases by tens of thousands during the summer while the post office facilities remain the same? If there is a problem will he consider staggering the hours of the staff?

I looked into the case of Swanage very carefully but concluded that there is not really a special problem. The post office there is very little used in the last half hour. Indeed, if post offices remained open until 10 p.m. some people would still come in at five minutes to.

While my right hon. Friend is closing post offices earlier, the Home Secretary is trying to get retail shops to close later. Will these two Ministers get together?

I have been into the case of Ince very carefully. The only shop which stays open later than the post office is the local "Co-op". All the other shops close and the "Co-op"—in fairness to the post office workers—closes for another half day when the post office is open, and another whole day when the post office is open. I think that, on balance, we are being fair. The number of people using the post office in the last half hour is 32.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this curtailment will cause considerable difficulty to working people? Is he aware that I have had dozens of representations, including some from Luton, Bedford and Leighton Buzzard Councils, about this matter? Would he not agree that expansion must be the keynote of our Government's attitude to the social services and that curtailment and contract ion belong to the party opposite?

There is no curtailment or contraction of the services, which are better than they have ever been. All we are doing is to close post offices at a reasonable time because very few people use them in the last half hour.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at this matter again and reconsider his decision? Is he aware that Richmond has a special case? Is he aware that relations between the general public and the General Post Office are at an all-time low and that this sort of decision does not improve relationships between his Department and its customers?

It is quite untrue that re-relationships between the public and the General Post Office are at an all-time low. Relations are extremely good. The number of people who are using the post office at Richmond in the last half-hour of its opening is very small.

While acknowledging that the Post Office is in exactly the same difficulty with costs as the whole of industry, will the Postmaster-General tell the House whether he considers that the Post Office policy of giving less service at higher prices is in line with the Government's prices and incomes policy?

The 400,000 people who work in the Post Office will notice that the hon. Gentleman loses no opportunity to knock them for purely party political purposes. The services of the men and women in the Post Office are quite the best in the world.

On a point of order. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General what general considerations guide him in placing contracts in development areas.

That we should give suppliers in development areas preference over others, consistently with our paying no more in total for what we buy.

Is there not more scope for relating the considerable purchasing power of the Post Office to the Government's medium-term regional development policy?

The recent extension of the old development district preference scheme to the much bigger development areas is itself a step in that direction, but I cannot see any scope for a further widening of that kind of preference.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the value of contracts placed in 1965-66 in the area of the Bathgate Employment Exchange by his Department.

Two hundred and thirty-three thousand pounds.

In view of what Galbraith and others have been saying about relations between the State and industry, will the Post Office consider discussing its long-term needs with those sections of the electronics industry which are still in the planning stage of development in areas such as Bathgate?

I can assure my hon. Friend that we try to keep in touch with our main suppliers about our future needs. If he has in mind any particular firm which we can help in this way, perhaps he will let me know.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the Government's policy towards a local and regional satellite communications system on a national and European basis.

The Government's policy is based on the concept of a single global system of satellite communication embodied in the Interim Communications Satellite Agreements. All posibilities will, of course, be explored when these agreements are renegotiated, and that will be in 1970.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless Britain and Europe have their own independent satellites on a regional or national basis for the purposes of television and telecommunications and so on, Britain will not have the technological capacity to compete when it comes to renegotiating the COMSAT agreement in 1970? Will he look at this matter again and perhaps give the country a strong lead on this issue?

We have agreed to cooperate in a preliminary study and design project which is being initiated by C.E.T.S. and undertaken by E.S.R.O.

Question No. 10. Mr. Winnick.

On a point of order. You have not called my Question No. 8, Mr. Speaker.

It was answered with Question No. 1.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he is taking to ensure that British industry plays a part in the development of communications satellites and related space activities as recommended in the National Economic Development Council Report on the Electronics Industry.

The Post Office is in continuous consultation with British industry about the development of satellite communications and the activities of the Interim Communications Satellite Committee.

Under Article X of the Agreement for the Interim Arrangements for a Global Commercial communications Satellite system, British industry has the opportunity to quote for studies and for the supply of material.

Would the right hon. Gentleman press as hard as he can to see that we get a fair share of the international system, because there is a feeling that, in the past, although we have committed lots of funds to this system, we have not had our fair share of contracts. Is he aware that, unless we do get our fair share we cannot possibly play a part in the world satellite communications system for 1970?

I think that the hon. Gentleman has a point here. We invest heavily in this programme. Intelsat places contracts with the Post Office and we let them out to industry. This year they amounted to £250,000, which I agree is below our annual investment. Nevertheless, it is a beginning.

With great respect, Mr. Speaker, may I ask whether or not there has been some mistake? Question No. 8 is about the Viewers and Listeners Council. We have not had any previous Question 'which could be faintly related to it.

Order. I am not responsible for the grouping of the Answers. The facts are as I have stated.

Reverting to the earlier supplementary question, would the Minister agree that the only way in which we shall really get good contracts from Intelsat is if we have our own national satellite organisation?

No. We have gone into this with very great care and, as things are at present and as they will be for many years to come, in a small country like ours it is not an economic proposition.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Postmaster-General what will be the final cost of the submarine cable to be laid between England, Portugal and South Africa; and what proportions of the costs will be borne by the other countries.

The United Kingdom-Portugal cable will cost about £5 million which we shall bear in full. The Portugal-South Africa cable is a South African project the cost of which will be borne by that country. Exchanges of traffic rights in the two cables will cost us about another £5 million net, for the life of the cables.

In view of the help and co-operation which we have given to these two countries in this project which will help their economy, would my right hon. Friend seek some help and co-operation from them in relation to our economy and the problem of Rhodesia?

This is not a question for me and it is not related to this Question.

asked the Postmaster-General how many cases have been brought to his notice recently where the delay in delivering letters and telegrams is causing loss to business and consequently to the export orders.

Three in the last three months.

Is it really good enough that telegrams or letters of great importance to the country, such as bids of contract, should be lost without anyone assuming either moral responsibility or giving any monetary redress? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that recently one was lost, resulting in a loss of £37,000 in hard currency?

The level of complaint has fallen since last year. The hon. Gentleman's remarks in the latter part of his supplementary question are to do with loss and not delay, which does not enter into this question. Talks are still taking place and I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

Does the Post Office keep a record of known losses of this type for which is responsible but on the other hand not liable?

What we seek to do, whenever there is a complaint from a Member of Parliament, or from anyone else, is to get details onto a form. The complaint is then investigated and answers given to the questions which arise.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of this reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Postmaster-General how many Post Office messengers under the age of 18 years are regularly required to work a six- or seven-day week; what percentage of messengers under 18 years of age this represents; and whether he will give instructions that messengers under the age of 18 years shall not be required to work more than 40 hours in a period of seven days.

Of 2,958 young postmen, 47 per cent. work a six-day week, none a regular seven-day week. Standard net hours are under 40 a week but some unavoidable weekday and Sunday overtime is worked, volunteers being used as far as possible.

Would the Minister agree that it is undesirable that young persons should be required to work more than a 40-hour week? Could steps be taken to see that this is not necessary?

We do whatever we can in accordance with the standard hours for young postmen and adults. If my hon. Friend has any complaints in regard to this matter, I will have them investigated if he will send them to me.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the cost of the forms and envelopes used for 5s. 6d. and 7s. greeting telegrams, respectively.

The printing costs, per 1,000 forms and envelopes, are respectively £2 17s. 6d. and £6 15s. 0d.

Does not the cost of the cards represent rather a high profit margin when one is charging a 2s. premium, and is this not one cost of a nationalised industry which should be cut?

No, Sir. The average loss per telegram last year was 4s. It is reasonable that users of this service or the greetings service should pay something near to the economic price.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give instructions that Post Office telephonists and other employees who work on Sunday 25th December shall be paid at double normal Sunday rates; and what the cost of this would be.

No, Sir. Civil Service agreements provide that Christmas day will be treated as a normal Sunday and that staff will benefit from the additional holiday that has been declared. To double the agreed rates of compensation for Post Office staff working on Christmas Day would cost about £60,000.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that many people using public services such as the telephone on Christmas Day would like and expect to pay more for those services so as to compensate properly people who are having to work on that day and who are away from their families? Would he consider this again? It happens only once every seven years.

So far as the public are concerned, I am following the practice of previous years and appealing to them to make their telephone calls before Christmas Eve. We are charging the normal rate for operator calls during the three days, and I hope that the public will co-operate to lighten the burden of the Post Office. The pay is reached by agreement with the staff associations and, for the overtime grades, the rate is time and a half.

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House whether he has discussed these questions with the appropriate trade unions? Would he take care to see that relations with the unions are not destroyed by private enterprise of this kind?

There are two agreements, the Civil Service agreement for Christmas Day, which is paid as an ordinary Sunday, and the staff association agreements as to how one pays people for Sundays, and these two are binding.

asked the Postmaster-General why he will not assist the sale of British products and the balance of payments by instituting a "Buy British" postmark.

The Government welcome action by industry to emphasise the merits of British products, but they do not consider that a "Buy British" postmark would help in this process. Successful advertising has to be directed at the sales of particular products. The institution of an undirected postmark of this kind would, we believe, not be very productive.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent it is his policy that letter packets, paid at letter rate, should be included with parcels for delivery.

When, because of weight or bulk, it is not practicable to deliver large or heavy packets on letter deliveries, they are usually diverted to parcel deliveries.

Does not this mean that, while people pay the higher charges for letter delivery, the letters are not arriving at their destination except by the very much slower parcel post? Do not the public have some reason for objecting to a practice whereby they pay for something which they are not getting?

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. They are conveyed in the same mails as letters, but there are limits to what the letter postman can carry on deliveries. If packets have to be excluded—I take it that the hon. Gentleman would not like that, especially since he represents a rural area; we seek to give service to people in outlying districts—it is surely sensible to deliver them by the next delivery of parcels.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what steps he will take to improve the financial position of small sub-post offices so that the facilities of rural post offices can be maintained;

(2) if he will give an assurance that, when his Department carry out reorganisation of sub-post offices and their work, he will take full account of the social benefits of these offices.

Sub-postmasters' remuneration is based on the amount of Post Office business they transact, subject to minimum payments at the smallest offices. The level of payment is reviewed at intervals in conjunction with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, subject to Government policy on prices and incomes. I can assure the hon. Member that, when considering the matters he mentions, we take full account of the social benefits of sub-post offices.

The small increases which these people have received over the last few years do nothing to help them in their present position, with very rapidly rising costs. Would the Assistant Postmaster-General bear in mind thta postmen are being transferred to main offices and that this reduces the financial return to the sub-post offices very considerably? Would he also bear in mind that the social benefits of sub-post offices are of tremendous value in stopping the depopulation of our villages?

We shall bear the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question in mind when the talks are continued. But let me remind him when he talks about the rate of sub-postmasters' remuneration that over the last two years there has been a 12 per cent. increase with a further increase of about 10 per cent. for sub-postmasters responsible for sorting and the delivery of mail. This includes the cost of accommodation for necessary staff and other expenses involved in running the sub-post office.

In the light of the hon. Gentleman's reply to the supplementary question and the Postmaster-General's Answer to the Question on Post Office hours, may I ask whether the Postmaster. General will press ahead with the provision of Post Office vending machines and the expansion of their scope to provide for people who cannot visit post offices either in places where or at times when they are available?

No.

It would appear that the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question does not meet with the approval of the House. His observations will be given every consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General what changes have taken place in the parcel rate since October, 1964; and whether he will consider introducing a special reduced rate for the Christmas perod.

There were general increases in inland parcel rates on 17th May, 1965, and 3rd October this year. But also on October 3rd the rate for parcels weighing up to 1½ lb. was reduced and new rates for local parcels, at 1s. less than those for other parcels, were introduced. I am sorry that I cannot introduce reduced rates for the Christmas period.

Does the Postmaster-General realise that at Christmas a very large number of parcels are not local? Does he also realise that the cost of being Santa Claus through the Post Office is now very prohibitive and that he is getting to the point of no return? There is a reducing use of this service because the cost of sending a parcel is almost as much as the cost of the gift. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something about this?

Being Santa Claus always was a difficult and expensive operation. We should lose £1.3 million if we were to put the prices back to what they were before 3rd October. As it is, the inland parcel service will just about break even this year.

The burden of the substantial increase in the parcel post charge whereby a parcel which previously cost 5s. 6d. now costs 7s. 6d. to send is fairly onerous. Is not this completely out of line with the Government's policy of keeping prices stable?

We had a debate on this in the House some weeks ago. The choice is quite simple. The hon. Gentleman understands the financing of the Post Office. We plough back all our profits and borrow the rest from the Exchequer. Therefore, if we do not make a profit over the counter the cost has to be paid for by the taxpayer in some other way.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the poor parcel post service; and what proposals he has to improve this.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will employ an independent professional agency to make regular surveys of postal deliveries for the information of the public.

The parcel post service is not as good as I would like it to be, but it is better than last year. During September and October this year, 79·2 per cent. and 78·9 per cent., respectively, of the traffic was delivered by the next day but one after posting: this compares with 78·1 per cent. and 72·3 per cent. last year. In collaboration with British Railways, we are continuing our efforts to improve the service.

With regard to the employment of an independent professional agency, I am satisfied that the regular monthly statistics we obtain from our main delivery offices in the country already give us a fully representative and statistically accurate picture.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have sent his Parliamentary Secretary some constituency complaints on this matter which have so far produced no improvement, including one example of a parcel which took eight days to travel 15 miles? Can he hold out some prospect of a quicker service than this in future?

As I have said all along, we are quite willing to look at valid criticisms, and I think that this is a valid criticism. If I recall aright the case raised by the hon. Member, this parcels traffic has to come through Waterloo, where there has been great difficulty with regard to portering staff. I think, however, that this has now been put right and we are hoping for a considerable improvement. We have been in discussion with the railways about it.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that to many people there seems to be a great discrepancy between his statistics on postal delivery efficiency and the experience of the public? Would it not increase the confidence of the public and be fairer to the right hon. Gentleman's own staff if he were to employ an independent agency to make regular public announcements on their surveys from month to month?

We have a first-rate statistics and business centre in the Post Office. I offered to the hon. Member last time I answered Questions—and I renew this offer and extend it to any hon. Member who cares to come—to show him the centre and explain how the work is done. I am sure that if the hon. Member were to see the care with which it is done and the modern techniques which are used, he would have a great deal more confidence in it.

asked the Postmaster-General what changes he proposes in the standard form of contract with sub-postmasters, with special reference to their liability to assault and robbery.

No such changes are envisaged. Our security advisers are in constant consultation with representatives of the sub-postmasters on ways and means of improving safeguards against robbery with violence.

That is all very well, but could the hon. Gentleman say what representations have been made to him by the sub-postmasters and what answer he has given to their National Federation?

Representations have been made through the organisation of the sub-postmasters. Whenever there is an opportunity for us to assist them in security—and we have done much in this respect—we take it.

About a year ago I was promised that new steps would be taken to protect the sub-postmasters, especially in rural areas, who has been subject to these violent attacks. Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the action which has been taken subsequently?

The hon. Gentleman is quite right: he did raise this matter. As a result of the publicity given to what happened at one sub-post office, talks were immediately set in motion at my instruction between our people and the Sub-Postmasters' Federation.

asked the Postmaster-General what estimate he has made of the loss of income to the Post Office as the result of British-based companies posting advertising literature to British addresses from abroad.

It would be difficult to put a figure on the loss of revenue, but if the reason for such postings is to economise in postage my right hon. Friend has powers to refuse to deliver them. We keep constant watch on the position and will not hesitate to refuse to handle these postings if we feel such action is justified.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he would not agree that this practice not only causes a loss of revenue to the Post Office but also has an adverse effect on our balance of payments, and that at this time of economic crisis this practice by British-based companies is completely irresponsible? Could not my hon. Friend consider taking some further actions?

I agree with the sentiments expressed by my hon. Friend. As I have indicated, we have powers which enable us to refuse to handle any material posted by these British firms abroad to addresses in this country if their intention is solely to save on postage, but in no case that we have taken up have we been satisfied that where postage was saved, that was the sole reason for posting abroad.

Would not the hon. Gentleman accept that if British-based companies are posting literature from abroad because the service is better or the cost is lower, the answer is not to introduce legislation to stop the practice, but to improve the service in this country?

That may be the view of the hon. Lady and of hon. Members opposite, but we must in all circumstances look after the interest of our services in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General what regulations cover the dispatch of shotguns by post.

Provided they come within the normal weight and size limits, are unloaded and adequately packed, shotguns are admissible in the inland post.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that in view of the publicity about the ease of getting shotguns, the sale of them by mail order stores should be stopped?

I know that this matter has received publicity, but I must remind my hon. Friend that the question of measures for controlling the availability of firearms is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home secretary.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the availability and supply of telephone exchange equipment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied that telephone equipment from private contractors is being delivered to his Department within the time limits agreed in the contracts; and whether he will make a statement.

Over the last two years Post Office requirements for telephone exchange equipment have more than doubled and many contract delivery dates are not being met because of lack of capacity in the industry. Output is being stepped up as quickly as possible, but it will be some time before the accumulated backlog is overcome.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this lack of equipment is a great handicap to the efficiency of towns which are expanding? Can he give an assurance that when equipment is available, it will be supplied not only to make up the backlog, but also to cater for a reasonable forward amount?

As I have pointed out before, the trouble—and I do not think that anybody is to blame for this—is that in the 1950s forecasting of demand and capacity of the industry was inadequate. Forecasting the demand for telephones 10 years ahead is one of the most difficult things of all. Basically, that is the difficulty. We are taking everything which the industry can produce, but we are in difficulty. Out of 1,250 contracts, 900 are behind delivery date now, but the industry is co-operating and is doing its best to step up output.

Is my right hon. Friend telling the House that the last Government signally failed to meet the rising demand for telephones?

I try to be fair and objective about these things, but in forecasting telephone demand a decade ahead many social, economic and other factors are involved and it is an extremely difficult exercise. We are now trying to put this position right and trying to have in hand some surplus capacity for the years ahead.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent supplies may increase when the bulk supply agreements lapse in 1968? Will new firms come in?

We should be clear about this. Only two bulk agreements still exist, one for apparatus and one for exchange equipment. I have already announced that we are ending the apparatus agreement and going over to completely free competitive tendering. However, with the supply of exchange equipment the position is very different. We are taking everything the industry can produce and, obviously, competitive tendering would not be appropriate in this case. We are considering what to put in place of the present agreement when it ends in 1968.

Will my right hon. Friend consider seeking powers to enable him to establish factories in development areas for the Post Office to produce this type of equipment itself?

I ask my hon. Friend to await the White Paper on the status of the Post Office which will have something important to say in this respect.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the position of the waiting list for telephones in the Croydon area; and if he will make a statement.

1,096 were awaiting service at 31st October not counting orders under inquiry or being met. About 400 should be connected next month, and the remainder during the early months of 1968.

Can anything be done to speed up the supply of telephones due in 1968? That would be most appreciated in Croydon. Is my hon. Friend aware that I am most grateful for the action taken locally about a compassionate case of mine?

I am aware of my hon. Friend's interest in this matter from con- versations which I have had with him about it, but I regret that at the moment there cannot be any acceleration. The shortage of exchange equipment is a national and not a local problem.

asked the Postmaster-General what redress is open to members of the general public when, owing to congestion or some other technical reason, they are unable to get through to the required number by dialling subscriber trunk dialling.

Customers who do not get through at the first attempt are advised to wait a few minutes and then dial again. Alternatively, the operator can be asked to control the call or to assist in case of difficulty.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when this happened the public is affected in two ways: first, by the inconvenience of their getting their S.T.D. call at all, and, secondly, by the higher charges involved in employing the operator? May we be assured that in Aberdeenshire, anyway, from this month on the necessary circuits will be completed to put an end to this delay and difficulty for people?

I am sorry that some customers encounter these difficulties which are primarily due to congestion because of the tremendous increase in the number of calls since S.T.D. was introduced. But, as the hon. Gentleman knows, operator-controlled trunk calls are charged on the basis of a minimum of three minutes and they are more expensive to handle than subscribed trunk dialled calls. Therefore, we cannot make any concession to the customer who seeks to make a call via the operator.

Is the hon. Gentleman able to report on the findings of the questionnaire on the telephone service sent out to 1,500 firms on 4th November and say whether, when there is a report, it will be publicised?

If the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question on that point, I will seek to give him an answer.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that parking in New Palace Yard would be facilitated if Members did not lock their cars; and if he will seek to make arrangements for cars there to be left unlocked.

Yes, Sir. It occasionally becomes necessary for the police to move cars in New Palace Yard, and this is hampered if Members lock their cars when parking them. I hope Members will assist by leaving their cars unlocked and by removing valuables.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that parking is becoming increasingly difficult for Members in New Palace Yard, and in the precincts, too, particularly at peak hours, and that anything that can be done to facilitate it will be welcome to many hon. Members?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving me the chance of reminding other hon. Members of the inconvenience that is caused by this action.

Will my right hon. Friend think again about this? Leaving cars unlocked in New Palace Yard is not a good idea. The hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) once had a car taken out with his dog in it, my hon. Friend the Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) once had his car taken away, and I know of cars that have been—

Order. Will the hon. Member ask his question?

I do not know whether my right hon. Friend is aware of this. Is he also aware that souvenir hunters have taken away the House of Commons badges on more than one occasion? This sort of thing—

Order. That is long enough to answer.

My hon. Friend's awareness differs from mine. I am aware of agreeing with the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) that cars should be left unlocked in New Palace Yard.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make arrangements for telephone calls to Members of Parliament to be received and messages taken at a time earlier in the day than present arrangements permit.

The Members' Telephone Room is manned by G.P.O. staff from 9 a.m. to the Rising of the House on every sitting day. Throughout these hours telephone calls are received and messages taken for Members of Parliament. These hours are considered to be adequate.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the hour of 9 o'clock seems to be inaccurate, because numerous messages have been taken before 10 o'clock and the callers have been told that nothing can be done with messages for Members before 10 a.m.? Will my right hon. Friend look more closely into the matter?

I anticipated my hon. Friend's question. The trouble may be due to the fact that the letter board is manned from 10 a.m. and the telephones from 9 a.m. If hon. Members approach the telephone side, they will get all the help they can from there with messages received between 9 and 10 o'clock. I am grateful for the opportunity of announcing this service to hon. Members.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will give an assurance that a Minister responsible for aviation matters will answer Questions on Wednesdays as at present.

Civil aviation Questions are answered by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. Until the Ministry of Aviation is absorbed into the Ministry of Technology, other aviation Questions will be dealt with on Wednesdays as at present.

That is quite satisfactory. As my right hon. Friend knows, I have been trying to meet him to have a talk on this matter. Could he spare the time to discuss the future of this matter with those of us on this side of the House who are interested in it?

Yes, I am always willing and anxious to discuss all questions with my hon. Friend. I remind him, however, that we try to compile the roster in very careful consultation with all sides of the House. I am satisfied that when we shift aviation should shift with technology. I foresee no difficulty arising from it.

Will the Lord President take into account the fact that part of aviation has been transferred to the Board of Trade? Does he realise that there is a fairly heavy log jam of Questions to the President of the Board of Trade? Is there a possibility of the President having a second day for Questions?

I will certainly consider that.