asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the total amount of the short-fall in Post Office revenue in 1980; the proportion of this short-fall which was due to a slowing down in the growth in telephone and postal traffic; the comparable proportion of the short-fall due to each of the other factors which contributed.

The Post Office revenue actually collected in 1980 was about £65 million less than had been expected. Figures for each of the factors responsible for the short-fall are not available but my Department's best estimate is that about £42 million of the revenue which should normally have been collected in 1980 will be collected in 1981.

Question No. 31 is for written reply.