HL Deb 08 May 1991 vol 528 cc1084-6

2.45 p.m.

Lord Holme of Cheltenham asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of arrangements made for troops in the Gulf, they will introduce an airmail parcel service for troops in Northern Ireland delivered at surface mail rates.

Lord Reay

My Lords, parcel deliveries for troops serving in Northern Ireland employ the normal civilian Royal Mail Parcelforce service. That provides a single service within the United Kingdom, including movement to and from Northern Ireland by sea container. There are no plans to introduce special delivery arrangements for servicemen in Northern Ireland.

Lord Holme of Cheltenham

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his clear but disappointing Answer. Is he aware that, according to the British Forces Post Office, it often takes 14 days for parcels to be delivered to it? It then has to deliver them to the troops in Northern Ireland. Thus the delivery time can often be as much as 21 days. Does he agree that the soldiers in Northern Ireland have an isolated, dangerous and often demoralising task to perform and that we should provide them with every support possible? Does he also agree that the special efforts made in the more dramatic and visible circumstances of the Gulf should be made for the young soldiers serving in Northern Ireland?

Lord Reay

My Lords, the Government are fully aware of the importance of maintaining an efficient postal system. Every effort is made to ensure that mail is delivered as quickly as possible. On average, parcels take some seven to ten days to be delivered to Northern Ireland, because all forces mail to a BFPO address is passed by the Royal Mail through the MoD postal depot in London. There the mail is sorted to every BFPO location around the world, including Northern Ireland. It is then included with the civil post parcel dispatches to Northern Ireland arranged by the Royal Mail Parcel Post. Once it arrives in Northern Ireland, it then re-enters the BFPO delivery system for the individual. We recognise that that is a roundabout route which causes delay, but we believe that it is essential for the additional security it achieves for our forces.

Lord Campbell of Alloway

My Lords, I accept that the Government are concerned, but why cannot something be done about the delay if it is 21 days? That seems unreasonable.

Lord Reay

My Lords, as I said, the average is some seven to ten days because of the need for security and to give protection to our forces.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, what would be the cost of a BFPO economy parcel service to Northern Ireland along the lines of the one that operated in the Gulf? What would be the improvement in speed given the necessary security requirements?

Lord Reay

My Lords, parcels were delivered to our forces in the Gulf by air during the conflict because the RAF was operating daily flights and accepting parcels on a fill-up basis; that is to say, when and to the extent that space permitted. There are no regular military flights to Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom which could transport parcels.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, do the Government envisage a civil arrangement given the security problems? What would be the cost?

Lord Reay

My Lords, I have no figures to show what would be the cost of that service. The volume, which is some 60,000 kg a year, has not in the past been found sufficient to warrant setting up a special parcel delivery service.

The Earl of Halsbury

My Lords, does the Minister agree that the best way to improve a service is to sack the person responsible for its unsatisfactory condition?

Lord Reay

My Lords, I am not sure what the noble Earl has in mind. I have twice explained why the service unfortunately takes as long as it does.

Lord Mackie of Benshie

My Lords, can the Minister tell us how long it takes to carry out the security measures on this small amount of mail? It seems extraordinary that it should take on average from seven to ten days.

Lord Reay

My Lords, it is because the mail has first to be transported to the MoD postal depot in this country. Then it has to join the civil parcel postal service to Northern Ireland and re-enter the military system in order to be delivered at the other end. That is why the delay occurs.

Lord On-Ewing

My Lords, can my noble friend explain in a little more detail how civilian baggage—not hand baggage but heavy baggage—can be examined quite quickly for all civilians travelling in and out of Northern Ireland, yet, when it concerns soldiers, the mail takes an extra seven days?

Lord Reay

Civilian parcels sent on the ordinary service do not have to enter the military system at either end. That is the reason for the difference in the time talc en. I have no further details to give, but I shall be happy to look into the matter if that is the wish of noble Lords.

Lord Holme of Cheltenham

My Lords, if the Government are unwilling to grapple with the problem, will they consider introducing, as they did for the Gulf, a special Christmas parcel service? Then at least at Christmas-time the soldiers serving in Northern Ireland will be able to receive their presents on time

Lord Reay

My Lords, I am happy to pass on that suggestion to my right honourable friend.