HL Deb 28 October 1975 vol 365 cc147-8

2.55 p.m.

Lord REIGATE

My 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 why the Christmas greetings airletters advertised in the Post Office leaflet PL(B) 3160 will not be on sale until 26th November.

Lord BESWICK

My Lords, I am advised by the Post Office that experience shows that the last Wednesday in November is the day best suited for the issue of the special set of Christmas stamps, which includes the Christmas greetings airletter.

Lord REIGATE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this date is only seven days before the last recommended posting date for Australia, only eight days before the last recommended posting date for Africa, and only nine days for Central and South America?—which covers most of the world. Is that not a rather short interval? Secondly, can the noble Lord say why the leaflet gives no indication of price?

Lord BESWICK

My Lords, I cannot answer the second part of that question. As to the first part, this date is the same date as last year, and there were no complaints last year. The previous year there were two different dates; one for the special stamps and one for the airletter. It was found that this was administratively expensive, and so the two dates were combined last year and again this year. I have no indication that it has been impossible for those who wish to airmail their Christmas greetings not to do so within the seven days.

Lord REIGATE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that my Question had nothing to do with the special issue of stamps? Can he give any reason why the two matters should go together? Thirdly, can he say why the airmail letter should be issued at least a month earlier in order to encourage people to post earlier?

Lord BESWICK

My Lords, there is always an argument as to when one starts the shopping days to Christmas. I think the last Wednesday in November is not unreasonable for an anniversary on the 25th December. As for the first part of the question, the fact is that, as I have said, administratively it is much more economic to have the two issues on the same day; that is, the stamps and the air letter.

Lord PLATT

My Lords, if I may be allowed to ask a closely related question—though perhaps not exactly arising out of the Question of the noble Lord, Lord Reigate—can the noble Lord the Minister tell us why the leaflet giving instructions to the Post Office and consumers as to the last date for posting sea mail was received two days after the last date for posting sea mail to Australia and New Zealand?

Lord BESWICK

My Lords, I am unable to give an answer to the question of the noble Lord, Lord Platt, but I will make inquiries.