HC Deb 01 March 1972 vol 832 cc394-5
21. Mr. Soref

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the average time taken for delivery of express inland letters.

Mr. Chataway

This is a matter for the Post Office, which tells me that it is not possible to give an average figure in respect of the special delivery service.

Mr. Soref

I am sure my right hon. Friend will acknowledge that, whereas formerly it was reasonable to anticipate the arrival of all inland post at its destination the following morning, since the creation of the two-tier system at an inflated price this has become increasingly infrequent. People who wish to make certain that their post arrives have no option but the express post. On two successive occasions, with mail posted in this House—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member must not make a statement; he must ask a question.

Mr. Soref

Is my right hon. Friend aware that mail posted from the House of Commons by express mail to Ormskirk, at a surcharge of 20p, has on two successive occasions in the past month still not arrived by first post next morning?

Mr. Chataway

I am sure that the Post Office would be very willing to investigate particular difficulties which may have arisen. Some 94 per cent. of first-class letters arrive the following day. The special delivery service is a supplement to that service and when no better service is provided by the special delivery service than would have been provided by the first class service, the full fee can be reclaimed.

Mr. Ewing

Would the Minister accept that one of the difficulties that the Post Office is undergoing is that head postmasters are not filling vacancies as they arise because they are awaiting the restructuring proposals referred to earlier and that consequently this makes it much more difficult to deliver all items on time not only express, first-class or second-class material, but all items, including telegrams? The Post Office is having this difficulty because the vacancies are not being filled.

Mr. Chataway

The Post Office has not suggested to me that any uncertainty over restructuring is hampering recruitment. The Post Office has made it clear that it accepts the verdict of the Post Office Users National Council in relation to the restructuring proposals.