HC Deb 07 May 1963 vol 677 cc227-8
52. Mr. Hilton

asked the Postmaster-General on what date the East Anglian parcel mail experiment is to commence; and if he will give further particulars of this experiment.

Mr. Mawby

While I cannot give a precise date, our aim is to start in June. The experiment is designed to improve the reliability of the parcel post service and reduce costs. The present system whereby parcel mails travel from place to place in small consignments, the movement of which is difficult to control, will be replaced by one in which the mails are moved in bulk consignments between relatively few main centres, with distribution from a collection into these centres by road. British Railways are collaborating in the experiment and movement of the bulk loads of mails between the major concentration centres will be largely by rail.

Mr. Hilton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that although the postal services may not be perfect in Norfolk they are reasonably satisfactory and during the recent wintry spell they were put to a very searching test and came through with flying colours? We in Norfolk are not in any way against the experiment. I hope that this experiment will further improve our services. I wish the Postmaster-General well in his new venture.

Mr. Mawby

I thank the hon. Gentleman on behalf of the many postmen to whom he has paid respects. I am particularly happy to know that this is the case in Norfolk. This experiment, as he probably knows, is the result of a study group on mail handling, one of the many processes in which we are trying to keep ourselves adapted and in line with modern developments so as to ensure that we will give a first-class service to the customer.