§ Mr. Randallasked the Postmaster-General what was the cost of delivery of letters and parcels on Christmas Day in 1958, 1959 and 1960 respectively.
§ Mr. W. R. Williamsasked the Postmaster-General, if he will state the number of staff employed and the number of staff hours worked on the delivery of letters and parcels on Christmas Day 1958, 1959 and 1960, respectively, and the number of letters and parcels delivered.
§ Mr. BevinsI regret that records of staff, staff hours and costs for 1958 and 1959 are not available. Figures for 1960 could be obtained only at considerable expense, but I estimate that the cost of the Christmas Day deliveries last year was about £200,000. Letters and parcels delivered on Christmas Day are not counted in any year: but a sample survey made last year indicated that the number of items delivered on Christmas Day was rather more than on an ordinary morning, say, 20–25 million items.
§ Mr. W. R. Williamsasked the Postmaster-General what proportion of letters and parcels posted within the advertised time for delivery before or on Christmas Day were actually delivered before 25th December in the years 1958, 1959 and 1960, respectively.
§ Mr. BevinsPrecise figures are not available, but the great majority of letters and parcels posted by the latest recommended dates of posting in each of the three years were delivered before Christmas Day.
§ Mr. W. R. Williamsasked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider abolishing deliveries of letters and parcels on Christmas Day in 1961 and 1962, as an experiment.
§ Mr. BevinsI am already considering whether we should maintain the Christmas Day deliveries and I will write to the hon. Member about this as soon as possible.
173W
§ Mr. Randallasked the Postmaster-General if he will inquire, through the Universal Postal Union, which member countries have abolished delivery of letters and parcels on Christmas Day; and if he will publish this information.
§ Mr. BevinsAn inquiry through the Universal Postal Union of each of the many member countries would take a long time. My inquiries of nearby European and North American countries show variations in practice, but the majority of these countries do not deliver letters and parcels on Christmas Day. Practice on subsequent days varies.
§ Mr. Randallasked the Postmaster-General whether he has consulted the Post Advisory Committees on the abolition of Christmas Day delivery of letters and parcels; and with what result.
§ Mr. BevinsYes, I did so in 1960. The majority of the Committees which expressed a view were in favour of withdrawing the deliveries; but in many instances this finding was not unanimous. I am now considering the matter again.