§ 4. Mr. Huntasked the Postmaster-General what percentage of letters destined for areas in which postal codes are in operation bear such code markings.
§ Mr. StonehouseIt varies from about 13 per cent. in areas recently coded to around 45 per cent. in areas where postcodes were introduced in the last two years.
§ Mr. HuntIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that fewer and fewer people are using these codes, first, apparently, because they feel that they do nothing to speed up the delivery of letters, and second, because of the chaos and confusion created in people's minds by this crazy mixture of letters and digits which the Post Office has inflicted upon us? Why is Britain, alone of all major countries, unable to produce an all-digit system which would work in a more straightforward and simple manner?
§ Mr. StonehouseI do not agree with the hon. Gentleman's claim that the number of people using the codes is falling. On the contrary, the use of the codes is going up and has reached a very high proportion in some areas. This is really the familiarisation period before postcodes are brought fully into use. We adopted an alphanumerical system because we considered that this was the best way to make the use of the codes more attractive to the users, and operationally it helps to make them more effective.
§ Mr. HenigIf my right hon. Friend forecasts that the whole country will have these postal codes, and if he thinks in terms of directories of the codes in different parts of the country, what does the Post Office expect the total volume of space to be that will be required by the average individual if he is to have all the books on postcodes for the country? Where will he store them?
§ Mr. StonehouseI do not believe that that will be much of a problem. Furthermore, as most postcodes will be advertised on the addresses of business houses and private correspondents will become fully aware of the postcodes of their addresses, the need for directories will not be as great as suggested.