§ 24 and 25. Mr. Proudfootasked the Postmaster-General (1) what examination he has made of the advantages of Moulton bicycles in connection with postal delivery services;
(2) how many Moulton bicycles his Department has in use.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Ray Mawby)There are no Moulton bicycles in use in the Post Office. I do not think we would be justified in introducing them into our service, for the reasons which I have already explained to my hon. Friend, but we intend to purchase a model for further study.
§ Mr. ProudfootWhile thanking my hon. Friend for buying at least one of these new bicycles, may I ask him to compare the weight of the Moulton bicycle with the standard model that the Post Office possesses? May I also ask him whether he realises that this is the first advance in cycle design for 80 years? If he were to obtain some more, it might help our exports.
§ Mr. MawbyThis is the reason we are purchasing a model for further study. But it is important to note that the basic 214 feature of the Moulton machine is the very small wheels which would obviously be a disadvantage in rural areas on rough tracks. Nevertheless, we are purchasing a model and we shall study it very carefully.