HC Deb 23 January 1969 vol 776 cc638-40
10. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the weekly average of overtime hours worked by postmen since the introduction of the two-tier postal system for letters; and what was the average in the same period in the previous year.

Mr. Stonehouse

During October and November the average weekly overtime worked by postmen totalled 751,000 and 749,000 hours, respectively. The corresponding figures in 1967 were 729,000 and 716,000.

Mr. Taylor

Does not this show that, despite quite a substantial reduction in mail, there has been an increase in overtime hours worked and, therefore, the system is not working perhaps as well in the public interest as the right hon. Gentleman thinks?

Mr. Stonehouse

At the beginning of the two-tier system we had a lot of extra overtime worked to ensure that it got off successfully. Since then a lot of the overtime has been reduced and we are now beginning to get it in the right proportion to the amount of traffic with which we have to deal.

Mr. Leadbitter

Is my right hon. Friend aware that hon. Members are receiving constant complaints about the two-tier system and that there is an element in the overtime arising from sorting out because of the system? Would it not be more honest to the general public to have one price for the postage and explain what the expenditure is for? The public will certainly complain, but it will understand that it is not being absolutely bedevilled with excuses which have no logical background whatsoever.

Mr. Stonehouse

If my hon. Friend had attended the debates on the two-tier system he would remember that the key problem was to deal with the peak load of traffic and to ensure that the Post Office gave priority to first-class mail. That we are doing through the two-tier system, and I do not think that it will be wise to change it.

Mr. Bryan

One of the proposed advantages of the two-tier system was that there would be less overtime. I appreciate that some overtime might be necessary in the opening phases, but can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an estimate of how things will go in future?

Mr. Stonehouse

The overtime being worked is being progressively reduced. I am sure that the original intention of the two-tier system, which was to make the service generally more efficient, will be achieved.