HC Deb 25 January 1968 vol 757 cc560-1
2. Mr. Gardner

asked the Postmaster-General what progress is being made with the development of postal coding; and if he will make a statement.

22. Mr. Mawby

asked the Postmaster-General what progress is being made with the development of postal coding; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Edward Short

Postcodes have been introduced so far in 15 major towns and we expect to introduce them in a further 30 towns during 1968. By 1970 postcodes will have been allotted to 75 major towns which between them handle the great majority of the mail.

Mr. Gardner

I welcome that statement. What is the average delay of letters not carrying the postcode?

Mr. Short

I cannot say at the moment. There is no great delay at present, but when a sorting office becomes mechanised a letter will be delayed if the code is not used, as it will have to be dealt with manually instead of mechanically. That is why we introduce the code well ahead of the mechanisation.

Mr. Mawby

Is the Postmaster-General satisfied that mechanisation can still continue at the previous rate, in view of all the things that have happened recently?

Mr. Short

Yes, Sir. We have embarked on a £24 million postal mechanisation programme over the next 10 years.

Mr. Bryan

Does that reply mean that the recent cuts will have absolutely no effect on coding and the other mechanisation measures which we are all expecting?

Mr. Short

They will have no effect on the coding, which goes ahead as I have announced, and they will have no effect on the mechanisation of the main sorting offices.