§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what precautions are taken to ensure that mail carried for a firm in Epsom in Foreign Office diplomatic bags is not infringing the customs regulations of foreign countries.
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§ Mr. Anthony RoyleLetters are accepted from private firms for carriage by Diplomatic Bag only subject among other conditions to the examination of their content.
§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what moneys have been paid to the Post Office in cases where mail for private firms is carried in Foreign Office diplomatic bags.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleNone.
§ Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will suspend the facility whereby private companies convey their correspondence via Foreign Office diplomatic bags during the period of the Post Office industrial dispute.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleNo.
§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications he has received from private companies to use the facility of Foreign Office diplomatic bags to carry mail overseas.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleIt has not been the practice to keep a record of the number of applications received for this facility, but they are granted only most exceptionally.
§ Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he held, and with whom, prior to granting facilities to a private firm of management consultants in Epsom for the carrying of that company's correspondence in Foreign Office diplomatic bags; if he is satisfied that such facilities do not infringe the Post Office's monopoly in regard to the carrying of mail; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleAs I told the hon. Member in my answer on 8th February, no new facilities have been afforded and long-standing instructions exist to govern the use of the Diplomatic Bag. No consultation was therefore necessary. I am satisfied that there is no infringement of the Post Office monopoly.—[Vol. 811, c. 35.]
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§ Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what charge is made by the Foreign Office for the facility enjoyed by a firm of management consultants of Epsom, whereby that private company's correspondence is transmitted by Foreign Office diplomatic bags.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleNo charge has been made. Since I replied to the hon. Member's Question on 8th February, I now understand that two letters from this firm have in fact been accepted since 20th January for transmission by Diplomatic Bag at an estimated cost of three new pence.