November 19.

The five-shilling (or 25p) stamp is here -- not to cover Post Office

costs but as a new tax. The extra 1p imposed from November 1 is to

enable the Post Office to pay the Government during the current year

#180m compared to #75m in the previous year.

The users do not want the extra 1p, which took the first-class postal

rate to 25p from November 1. The Post Office doesn't need it. Its costs

are well under control and the Post Office is keen to remain the

best-value-for-money postal service in Europe.

The Government says it wants to encourage business and wipe out

inflation. Yet it has said to the users' representatives that when

considering the recent tariff increase it took into account, among other

factors, the interests of taxpayers.

The Government has not invested any money in the Post Office for more

than 15 years. The increase in postal charges cannot be justified as a

return on its investment. Which other public utility would be allowed to

increase its dividend by 150% in the depths of a recession?

It is clearly a tax. The Government has not been explicit about this.

The purpose of my letter is to make the position clear for the public.

A. O. Robertson,

Chairman, Post Office Users

Council for Scotland,

43 Jeffrey Street,

Edinburgh.