§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Social Services 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.
§ Dr. BoysonMailing costs are monitored and the most cost-effective methods are used, having regard to weight, volume, security and urgency. All but a small proportion of the Department's mail is to claimants and beneficiaries and there is no alternative to using Post Office services. An estimate, based on costs, of the proportions carried by the various services is:
Per cent. Post Office 99.48 Interdepartment van services 0.39 Private Sector 0.13 100.00