§ LORD KILMANYMy 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 progress has been made with the scheme of combining postal service with passenger transport in outlying rural areas in Scotland.]
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the Post Office has, since 1968, been running on an experimental basis a service catering for carriage of passengers as well as mail between Dunbar and Innerwick, in East Lothian. I understand that this roughly breaks even on operating costs. The introduction of any further services of this kind would be a matter for the Post Office. I understand that, in consultation with other interested parties, it is currently looking at the possibilities of additional services in Scotland in areas where the circumstances might be favourable.
§ LORD KILMANYMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Is he aware that it is encouraging to hear that this scheme, where tried out, has been successful? May I ask my noble friend whether he will use his influence to cause the Post Office to co-operate in this matter, because by doing so they can greatly assist many elderly people who live in remote areas?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONYes, my Lords. I do not think my influence or that of my right honourable friend in another place, is needed. Grants are available to the Post Office: bus fuel duty rebates, new bus grants, and rural bus grants. But, of course, the first duty of the Post Office is to deliver mail, and these schemes must not conflict with that duty.