HC Deb 11 May 1960 vol 623 cc389-90
7. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Postmaster-General the conditions under which his postal regulations allow a recipient of registered mail to identify his name and address on the package before signing for it.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Miss Mervyn Pike)

The Post Office does not undertake to deliver a registered packet to the addressee in person and there are, therefore, no regulations allowing the recipient to identify his name and address on the packet before signing for it.

Mr. Dempsey

Does the Minister mean, therefore, that a person signs for the parcel, whether it is his or not, simply because he has had no opportunity to satisfy himself that the parcel was actually to be delivered at his home? In view of the nature of the reply, may I ask the Minister if this is not a matter that should be reconsidered?

Miss Pike

This matter has been very carefully gone into. I think that the legal situation is quite clear, and is to the general convenience of most people receiving registered parcels.