HC Deb 30 June 1965 vol 715 cc614-5
28. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Postmaster-General what factors govern the permitted size of parcels sent by parcel post within the United Kingdom.

Mr. Joseph Slater

The size of the fittings and the machines used for sorting and handling the parcels, and the bags in which they are moved about the country.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

In view of the difficulties of the shirt industry which the hon. Gentleman knows, can his Department make any suggestions to try to solve this problem?

Mr. Slater

Even if we could avoid expensive changes in machinery, fewer such parcels would go into the bag and handling costs would go up. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have had conversations with the people in Northern Ireland on this matter, and I hope soon to be able to give a more favourable reply.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to speed up the delivery of parcels between Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

Mr. Slater

We are doing everything we possibly can even in regard to the parcels service.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that one of the difficulties in Northern Ireland, and especially in Belfast, is that there appears to be a little "Gestapo" at the post office in Belfast which is still censoring the parcels of a certain minority? Will he look into the fact that a room at the post office in Belfast is being used for this "Gestapo" purpose?

Mr. Slater

I do not think that that is a matter for us. I made a visit to Belfast during the Whitsun Recess and no operations of this type were brought to my notice.