Lord SWAYTHINGMy 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 whether they will consider publicising the desirability of Post Office customers either writing or stamping their name, address and postcode on the back of their communications in order to save time and money for the Post Office if the communication cannot be delivered.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, the Post Office tell me that they do regard this as desirable and that their publicity recommends it. They are currently considering whether the scope of this publicity should be extended.
Lord SWAYTHINGMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, may I take it that he is aware that certain post offices put a request to this effect into the letters which they open? I feel sure that the noble Lord agrees that this is not sufficient publicity and I am glad to hear him say that the Post Office will increase it.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, the Post Office have said that they are considering whether or not to increase the scope of their publicity. Doubtless they will pay attention to what the noble Lord has said.
§ The Earl of CORK and ORRERYMy Lords, can the noble Lord say how much time and money is expended by the Post Office on such publicity?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMNo, my Lords, that is another question. If the noble Lord wishes to put down a Question I shall let him know.
§ Lord SEGALMy Lords, as envelopes are usually opened from the back and the name and address are liable to be torn in the process, would it not be more logical to put the name and address on the front?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, this is a very difficult question to answer. In Europe you have to write the address of your correspondent on the front of the envelope and put your own address on the back. In my view, occasionally this might lead to domestic complications.