§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of letters is automatically sorted using the postcode system; what is the estimated cost benefit to the Post Office; and what is the estimated cost to industry, commerce and the public of adding a postcode to the normal address.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe Post Office tells me that about 6 per cent. of all machinable mail, or some 9 million items a week, is at present sorted automatically and that, while postal mechanisation helps to reduce the demand for scarce manpower, the full financial benefits of automatic sorting will not accrue until the network as a whole is completed. I regret that I have no information about the cost to the customer of using postcodes.