§ 45. Mr. Russellasked the Postmaster-General the function of the Conference of European Postal and Telecommunications Administrations; and what part his Department will play in the Conference.
§ Mr. BevinsThe Conference of European Postal and Telecommunications Administrations was set up following a meeting in Montreux in June, 1959. The Arrangement was signed by the Administrations of nineteen countries including the United Kingdom. The new Conference is essentially consultative. It aims to exchange views and information and to initiate studies of technical problems of particular concern to Europe. It will concentrate mainly on work of a practical nature to improve the efficiency of the European postal and telecommunications services. My Department has taken, and will continue to take, its full part in the work of the Conference.
§ Mr. RussellI thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer. May I ask him whether he will take up at the Conference the question of the different times it takes for letters to go from one country to another in Europe, because these times vary considerably? Will he see whether he can get more uniformity among European postal services?
§ Mr. BevinsThat is a matter which might be studied.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the so-called Iron Curtain countries are now inside the Conference?
§ Mr. BevinsI believe not.