§ 10. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will give a general direction to the Post Office not to publish and/or sell details of individual postal codes until he has prescribed rules under which this should be done.
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. The issue of postcodes is a matter for the Post Office, which has already published them.
§ Mr. HuckfieldIs the Minister aware, however, that the publication, and particularly the sale, of lists of postal codes has many similar aspects to publication and sale of electoral registers? In view of the fact that there are already some fairly strict safeguards on the publication and sale of electoral registers, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that we should have similar safeguards in 11 respect of publication and sale of lists of postal codes?
§ Sir J. EdenThe important point to emphasise is that there should not be made available information about the circumstances of individuals, and the Post Office is adament that it will not be a party to this.
§ Mr. MartenTo what extent are postal codes operating throughout the country?
§ Sir J. EdenThey are gaining acceptance quite satisfactorily throughout the country, but the full operational benefit will not be obtained until the total mechanisation programme is in force.