HC Deb 16 July 1973 vol 860 cc14-5
12. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will issue a general direction to the Post Office instructing it in the public interest to continue to use British Rail wherever practicable in despatching its mail.

Sir J. Eden

The Government will naturally expect to be informed before any major changes are made as a result of the discussions taking place between the Post Office, British Rail and the National Freight Corporation, but I have no reason to suppose that a general direction will be appropriate.

Mr. Judd

But at a time of growing public anxiety about the adverse social implications of the growing volume of heavy road traffic, does not the Minister agree that a decision by the Post Office to switch the movement of mail from rail to road would not be in the public interest? Will he give an assurance that wider environmental and social interests than the immediate short-term profit motives of the Post Office will be at play, and that no step in the latter direction will be taken?

Sir J. Eden

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport Industries put the environmental considerations into perspective in his speech on 4th July. But these are points that obviously need to be borne in mind in the event of any proposition coming before Ministers. At present it is a matter for commercial consideration between the bodies concerned.