HC Deb 06 July 1966 vol 731 cc422-3
32 and 33. Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he will have consultations with builders of houses with front gardens to ascertain if it would be possible to have post boxes at the gate or entrance to the path leading to the front door;

(2) whether he will consult with local local authorities and others concerned in the building of flats to see if it is possible to have a set of post-boxes on the ground floor for each individual flat, in order to save the postman climbing up and down many flights of steps. as has to be done in many cases.

Mr. Joseph Slater

My right hon. Friend is anxious to encourage developments in both these directions, we have done and are doing a good deal to persuade local authorities and property developers to instal these boxes, not only in blocks of flats but in offices as well, and we are considering whether a positive inducement could be offered. We have tried garden gate delivery, but the arrangement was not favoured by the residents. Nevertheless there are advantages to the Post Office in garden gate boxes and we intend to pursue the possibilities further.

Dame Joan Vickers

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but is he aware that I first put down a similar Question as long ago as 1958 and that the matter is still being considered? Does not he think that it is a waste of time and energy for postmen to have to climb at least four flights of stairs in blocks of flats where there are no lifts, and also that it is a waste of time and energy for them to have to climb sixteen steps to the front door, as happens in Plymouth, to deliver perhaps one letter? Many countries overseas have the facilities for which I am asking.

Mr. Slater

I agree with a great deal of what the hon. Lady has said about multi-storey flats, and it is true, as she said, that she asked an identical Question as far back as 1958. Head postmasters have been instructed to approach local authorities and others to encourage them to provide facilities for central delivery. Some progress is being made, mainly in office blocks. For example, at Leeds 53 multi-storey offices have some form of central delivery, and we shall pursue this system as vigorously as we can.