§ 14. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will give a general direction to the Post Office not to use postcodes as a means of identifying individual addresses.
§ Mr. ChatawayNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HuckfieldDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that the Post Office wants to give us each a number? Does he not also know that the Post Office has also been advertising to direct mail organisations that it can know us, identify us, code us and grade us by that number? As the Post Office has been advertising this service to direct mail institutions, does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that those who will be given these numbers ought to be told first?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe introduction of post coding means, as the hon. Gentleman says, that in many circumstances it is possible for those who wish to find out to ascertain an address. Of course, there are already other means of doing so. One may discover it from the electoral roll, for example. But if it is felt that there is an undue infringement on the rights of privacy of the individual—I understand that there have been no complaints, or very few, to the Post Office so far—it would be open to the Younger Committee to comment on it if it wishes.
§ Sir G. NabarroSpeaking as the President of the British Direct Mail Advertising Association myself, thus declaring my interest, may I ask my right hon. Friend to bear in mind that that important body exists to maintain high ethical standards in circularisation by post and is a close ally of the Post Office? Would he not 1318 consult the association before taking further steps in the matter?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe Post Office values the business that comes to it from direct mail order and I am sure that it will take note of what my hon. Friend has said.
§ Mr. Charles MorrisIs it not an imposition for the public generally to be obliged to use postal codes when there are only seven Post Office centres where letters so addressed can be sorted automatically? When will the Government and the Post Office Corporation announce their policy on the mechanisation of Post Office centres?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe aim of the Post Office is to increase the use of postcodes so that as mechanisation progresses the full economic benefits can be obtained from it. While I recognise that post coding can involve something of a chore for the individual, the fact is that it yields economies for the Post Office. The hon. Gentleman and the public are anxious that the Post Office should conduct its business as economically as possible.