§ 3.6 p.m.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to extend the installation in post offices of locked letter-boxes for the collection of mail.]
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, locked boxes are installed at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, London Western District Office, and Warrington, and experiments will start at three other offices later this year. If the new service is a success, it will be extended to other post offices in all parts of the country.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for that reply. May I ask him whether he is aware that the private collection of mail by business firms and individuals is widely practised in many countries, and whether he would not agree that a substantial saving in time, cost and manpower could be effected if it were more widely adopted in this country?
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, yes, I am quite aware of that, because the noble Lord told me about it a few minutes ago. I fully appreciate that this will provide not only a facility, but a considerable saving. For the benefit of noble Lords, may I explain that what is proposed—what indeed is in operation in the three areas I have named, and is in prospect for three others—is the supply of a box, the key to which is given to the renter or hirer, who can therefore open it at any time without the assistance of Post Office staff. This is a highly desirable innovation, and we hope to extend it in due course.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, as a former Member of Parliament for Warrington, may I ask my noble friend to satisfy my curiosity and tell me why Warrington was chosen?
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, it may be because the noble Lady was once the Member for Parliament for Warrington. I personally see no reason why Warrington should be selected sooner than Leyton, which I know quite well.