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Postage Rates (Council of Europe Recommendation)

Oral Answers to Questions — Post Office – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 26 Chwefror 1964.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Mr. Gresham Cooke:

asked the Postmaster-General what is the policy of the Government with regard to Recommendation 379 on Postage Rates in Member Countries of the Council of Europe, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 13th January, 1964; and what action Her Majesty's Government have taken or contemplate taking on it.

Photo of Mr Raymond Mawby Mr Raymond Mawby , Totnes

As I indicated in my reply to the Question put down by the hon. Member for Lewisham, South (Mr. C. Johnson) on 12th February, we can see no prospect at present of our postal finances being able to stand the very high cost of the reduced rates referred to in the Council of Europe's recommendation.

Mr. Gresham Cooke:

Would my hon. Friend consider whether it would be a good thing to make a gesture to our friends in Europe by carrying letters a certain distance into Europe at internal rates, particularly since cities like Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels are nearer London than is Darlington?

Photo of Mr Raymond Mawby Mr Raymond Mawby , Totnes

This is a matter which we obviously keep under review. It is important to realise that our inland letter rate is extremely low compared with that of other European countries. In fact it is the lowest, except for Cyprus and the Netherlands. I think we have to bear that consideration in mind.

Post Office

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Council of Europe

An international organisation of member states (45 at the time of writing) in the European region; not to be confused with the Council of the European Union, nor the European Council.

Founded on 5 May, 1949 by the Treaty of London, and currently seated in Strasbourg, membership is open to all European states which accept the princple of the rule of law and guarantee fundamental human rights and freedoms to their citizens. In 1950, this body created the European Convention on Human Rights, which laid out the foundation principles and basis on which the European Court of Human Rights stands.

Today, its primary activities include charters on a range of human rights, legal affairs, social cohesion policies, and focused working groups and charters on violence, democracy, and a range of other areas.