§ 26. Mr. Hendryasked the Postmaster-General if he will consider, in conjunction with the appropriate Defence Minister, the institution of emergency helicopter services to ensure essential postal services for towns and villages cut off by snowstorms in north-east Scotland.
§ Miss PikeArrangements already exist for all emergency transport provided in such circumstances to be used where appropriate for conveyance of mails, but emergency helicopter services could not be justified solely for mail purposes.
§ Mr. HendryIs my hon. Friend aware that the tremendous efforts of her staff in those very difficult circumstances are much appreciated, and will she give an assurance that she will use every possible scientific device to help them in their work?
§ Miss PikeYes, Sir. We do our best, but we believe that in severe conditions helicopters may be required for matters 1204 of life and death, and it would be wrong as well as expensive to try to use them to overcome relatively short delays to mail traffic.