HC Deb 07 May 1963 vol 677 cc31-2W
45. Mr. Mapp

asked the Postmaster. General when the Post Office mail agreement with the railways was last reviewed: and, in the diversion of mail to air and road transport and in the event of bad weather or accident, whether any commercial financial provision is made with the railways to meet these contingencies.

Mr. Mawby

Reviews of the payments under the agreements are made jointly by ourselves and the railways each year to cater for variations in the amount of mail carried. Additionally, there are special reviews when changes in the rates of payment are called for.

In the financial arrangements with the railways small temporary diversions of mail from rail to air and road and vice versa are ignored: but by mutual agreement special adjustments are usually made for major changes of this kind.