HC Deb 18 May 1960 vol 623 cc1254-5
18. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the Post Office engages in renovating its buildings and property by its own employees, by arrangement with the Ministry of Works and by private contract, respectively.

Miss Pike

Electrical and heating work apart, the amount of renovation done by Post Office employees is negligible. Renovation of Post Office buildings and property is undertaken in the main by the Ministry of Works, but some of the smaller jobs, such as work on unattended telephone exchange buildings, and repainting of letter boxes, are let directly to private contractors.

Mr. Sorensen

Is there any kind of liaison between the Ministry of Works and the Post Office in view of the fact that sometimes, apparently, the Ministry of Works does not perform its task to the satisfaction either of the Post Office or the general public?

Miss Pike

I assure the hon. Member that in general there is very close liaison between the Ministry of Works and the Post Office.

Mr. Mason

Can the hon. Lady inform the House how much private work was introduced into the Post Office during the tenure of her right hon. Friend's predecessor?

Miss Pike

I cannot give figures. It would be difficult to ascertain the proportion of private and Ministry of Works building work. The share of the Ministry of Works is, of course, very much the larger.