17. Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what percentage of letters sent to areas where the new postal codes are in operation has the postal code written on the envelopes, in the most recent monthly period for which figures are available.
§ Mr. ChatawayThis is a matter for the Post Office. I understand that no overall figure is available but the use of post codes is increasing.
Mr. TaylorCan my right hon. Friend state the total cost of this exercise, whether he believes that the benefits which have accrued to the Post Office justify it, and how and when we might get a percentage figure?
§ Mr. ChatawayThe Post Office has figures for individual areas, but no overall figure. It is concerned, as post codes are introduced, to assess area by area the rate at which the use of the codes is increasing. I will send my hon. Friend the figures that he wants. But the Post Office in this country, like the post offices in nearly every developed country, considers that special economies are to be gained by mechanisation and that mechanisation is possible only on the basis of post codes.
§ Mr. GoldingIs the Minister aware that the slowness of the introduction of 1487 postal mechanisation is proving self-defeating and that it is thought within the business that much of the equipment being ordered will be obsolescent by the time it is used? There is particular concern because so few of the codes are being put on the envelopes.
§ Mr. ChatawayThe Post Office will no doubt wish to consider that point. But it will inevitably take time for the post codes to be introduced generally. It must be a gradual process, and the Post Office in assessing the levels of investment, must apply the same criteria as it applies to other investment. It must be satisfied that each investment is likely to yield an adequate return.