HC Deb 07 December 1966 vol 737 cc1341-3
28. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Postmaster-General what changes have taken place in the parcel rate since October, 1964; and whether he will consider introducing a special reduced rate for the Christmas perod.

Mr. Edward Short

There were general increases in inland parcel rates on 17th May, 1965, and 3rd October this year. But also on October 3rd the rate for parcels weighing up to 1½ lb. was reduced and new rates for local parcels, at 1s. less than those for other parcels, were introduced. I am sorry that I cannot introduce reduced rates for the Christmas period.

Mr. Lewis

Does the Postmaster-General realise that at Christmas a very large number of parcels are not local? Does he also realise that the cost of being Santa Claus through the Post Office is now very prohibitive and that he is getting to the point of no return? There is a reducing use of this service because the cost of sending a parcel is almost as much as the cost of the gift. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something about this?

Mr. Short

Being Santa Claus always was a difficult and expensive operation. We should lose £1.3 million if we were to put the prices back to what they were before 3rd October. As it is, the inland parcel service will just about break even this year.

Sir R. Cary

The burden of the substantial increase in the parcel post charge whereby a parcel which previously cost 5s. 6d. now costs 7s. 6d. to send is fairly onerous. Is not this completely out of line with the Government's policy of keeping prices stable?

Mr. Short

We had a debate on this in the House some weeks ago. The choice is quite simple. The hon. Gentleman understands the financing of the Post Office. We plough back all our profits and borrow the rest from the Exchequer. Therefore, if we do not make a profit over the counter the cost has to be paid for by the taxpayer in some other way.

31. Mr. Fisher

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the poor parcel post service; and what proposals he has to improve this.

47. Mr. Bryan

asked the Postmaster-General if he will employ an independent professional agency to make regular surveys of postal deliveries for the information of the public.

Mr. Edward Short

The parcel post service is not as good as I would like it to be, but it is better than last year. During September and October this year, 79.2 per cent. and 78.9 per cent., respectively, of the traffic was delivered by the next day but one after posting: this compares with 78.1 per cent. and 72.3 per cent. last year. In collaboration with British Railways, we are continuing our efforts to improve the service.

With regard to the employment of an independent professional agency, I am satisfied that the regular monthly statistics we obtain from our main delivery offices in the country already give us a fully representative and statistically accurate picture.

Mr. Fisher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have sent his Parliamentary Secretary some constituency complaints on this matter which have so far produced no improvement, including one example of a parcel which took eight days to travel 15 miles? Can he hold out some prospect of a quicker service than this in future?

Mr. Short

As I have said all along, we are quite willing to look at valid criticisms, and I think that this is a valid criticism. If I recall aright the case raised by the hon. Member, this parcels traffic has to come through Waterloo, where there has been great difficulty with regard to portering staff. I think, however, that this has now been put right and we are hoping for a considerable improvement. We have been in discussion with the railways about it.

Mr. Bryan

Is the Postmaster-General aware that to many people there seems to be a great discrepancy between his statistics on postal delivery efficiency and the experience of the public? Would it not increase the confidence of the public and be fairer to the right hon. Gentleman's own staff if he were to employ an independent agency to make regular public announcements on their surveys from month to month?

Mr. Short

We have a first-rate statistics and business centre in the Post Office. I offered to the hon. Member last time I answered Questions—and I renew this offer and extend it to any hon. Member who cares to come—to show him the centre and explain how the work is done. I am sure that if the hon. Member were to see the care with which it is done and the modern techniques which are used, he would have a great deal more confidence in it.