HC Deb 27 October 1965 vol 718 c138
21. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average time taken in delivery of parcels from Leicester and London, respectively, to South Shields; and what is the saving of time when parcels are registered.

Mr. Joseph Slater

Parcels for South Shields from both London and Leicester should generally be delivered by the second weekday after posting. As registration involves a hand to hand check there is no saving of time when parcels are registered.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does my hon. Friend realise that in fact parcels have been taking up to a week and even longer to get through the West End of London and that this is a matter of long standing? Will he tell me what action he proposes to take to put this right, as it is endangering the future of a number of firms in my area?

Mr. Slater

I must agree with my hon. Friend that there have been some delays at King's Cross and Newcastle Central Station and at Leicester where parcel mails for South Shields have to be transferred. We have been pursuing this matter with British Railways and it may be for the benefit of the House if I say that a new regular service plan for the parcel post was introduced on 4th October and that we expect it to effect an improvement. There are plans for easing accommodation difficulties at both King's Cross and Newcastle, but these will take some time to mature.