§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Wales what use his Department makes of the private sector for the movement of parcels, packages, documents and letters; and if he will estimate the proportion of his Department's mail handled in this way.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsMy Department uses the private sector to convey parcels and packages whenever it is expedient and economic to do so; no records are kept but the proportion of mail handled in this way is very small. Costs of mail services are kept under constant review and the most cost-effective methods are used having regard to the weight, volume, sensitivity and urgency of the mail to be conveyed.