HC Deb 26 October 1966 vol 734 cc995-6
23. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Postmaster-General why, after 15 years, he is now asking Messrs. Hooker of Brightlingsea to put fibreboard or wood containers round their cans, and so add to their costs of production.

Mr. Joseph Slater

Recent cases of damage to cans of die lubricant posted by Messrs. Hooker led us to recommend additional packing, both in the firm's interest and also to protect other parcels from soiling. Unless they either use this packing or satisfactorily modify the sealing of the cans we cannot agree to compensation in the event of damage.

Mr. Ridsdale

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this firm has not in any way altered its standards and believes that the trouble is the fault of the Post Office? Will he look into this again, because he is suggesting unnecessary costs of production for this firm which sends a lot of its cans for export?

Mr. Slater

That may be so with this firm, but we know from experience that the sealing of the special cap in the lid is inadequate. We have had these matters investigated, and when a can is travelling in a bag with other parcels, some of them weighing up to 22 pounds, this cap is liable to be sprung. I should like to invite the hon. Gentleman to go into one of our offices to see how these parcels are handled and what happens to bad packages which have to be handled by our people.