HC Deb 07 December 1966 vol 737 cc1339-40
25. Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent it is his policy that letter packets, paid at letter rate, should be included with parcels for delivery.

Mr. Joseph Slater

When, because of weight or bulk, it is not practicable to deliver large or heavy packets on letter deliveries, they are usually diverted to parcel deliveries.

Mr. Griffiths

Does not this mean that, while people pay the higher charges for letter delivery, the letters are not arriving at their destination except by the very much slower parcel post? Do not the public have some reason for objecting to a practice whereby they pay for something which they are not getting?

Mr. Slater

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. They are conveyed in the same mails as letters, but there are limits to what the letter postman can carry on deliveries. If packets have to be excluded—I take it that the hon. Gentleman would not like that, especially since he represents a rural area; we seek to give service to people in outlying districts—it is surely sensible to deliver them by the next delivery of parcels.