HC Deb 17 December 1952 vol 509 cc1387-8
20. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what labour-saving devices to speed up the issue of stamps and change in post offices have been installed; and if he will state in which post offices experiments are now being made.

Mr. Gammans

There are in use approximately 18,000 stamp machines operated by inserting coins, 100 machines on post office counters for selling 2½d. stamps and a further 100 on order, and 100 machines which issue priced labels for sticking on inland parcels. It is hoped that soon there will also be about 100 machines for selling books of stamps.

The use of machines for giving change has proved disappointing. Experience has shown that they take up a lot of counter space and do not save time.

My hon. Friend will appreciate that it will take some considerable time and trouble to compile a list of offices where all these different machines are installed, but if he is interested in the working of any particular type I shall be pleased to arrange a demonstration.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my hon. Friend aware that, speaking generally, with the exception of the 100 machines on counters which he has mentioned, the system of issuing stamps in the post offices is precisely the same as it was 100 years ago, and that any progress which he made towards modernisation could not, in the circumstances, be considered revolutionary?

Mr. Gammans

I answered a Question on this matter last week, and I can assure the House that any opportunity of mechanisation is being used and has been used, but this is rather different from the type of business that is done in, say, a cinema. We deal with far more things, whereas a cinema sells only tickets. There is a limit beyond which it is not economical to press mechanisation, quite apart from the fact that these machines are very expensive.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Is it not a fact that a joint committee of the Official Side and of the Staff Side has been working at this continuously for many years and has given the fruit and benefit of its expert knowledge for guiding the Postmaster-General and his Assistant in the way this should be done?

Mr. Gammans

That is so.