The post •
Sir: The price of bread has gone up; of meat has gone up; of milk has gone up; of transport has gone up. The list is, of course, in the present context, endless.
But the cost of the postal services? Oh, no! They should not go up. The Post Office, if it is at all efficient, should ensure that there are the same services as a hundred years ago, and at no increase in costs.
Ridiculous?
Of course it is. It is utterly unrealistic, as everyone must, and does, so realise. But this is the attitude of mind that underlies your 'Notebook' item of (and 1 quote from page 5 of the issue concerned) 29 June, 1976. Of course no one—and least of all the Post Office—likes increased prices. Nor does anyone—least of all the Post Office—like a reduction in the services.
But in a time of inflation the Post Office cannot be a unique exception. In the last year we have intensified our internal savings to the extent of £35 million in the postal service and £33 million in the telecommunications service.
Our customers have been protected for some years from price rises; but they had to come in the end; and when they did, it was naturally a shock. But to pretend that this was other than inevitable is to refuse to face realities.
• P. H. Young
Director, Public Relations, Post Office Central Headquarters, 23 Howland Street, London W1
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