§ 36. Mr. Mikardoasked the Minister of Transport at what date he proposes to set up the new Joint Parcels Organisation; and what arrangements are being made in the meanwhile for the handling of parcel traffic.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Joint Parcels Organisation has for the last two years been co-ordinating the handling of parcels and sundries traffic by nationalised rail and road transport. Sections 4 and 5 of the Transport Act, 1968, vested both National Carriers Ltd. and B.R.S. Parcels Ltd. in the National Freight Corporation on 1st January this year. The railway passenger parcels service remains with the Railways Board.
§ Mr. MikardoWas it not intended to integrate all parcels traffic, including the sundries department of British Rail, into a single parcels organisation? Why has 27 there been a change of policy? Will my hon. Friend lay a White Paper to explain what the change is and why it has been made?
§ Mr. CarmichaelI am not aware of any change of policy. The policy still is that there should be integration of the parcels services, except the passenger parcels service which we regard as so closely integrated with passenger trains that it is better left on its own. It is a supplement rather than a competitor. It is a more specific service than the others, and, as I say, it does not compete with the main service, which will be integrated.