§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. YoungerThe various ways and costs of sending mail are kept under review to ensure that the most economic method is employed having regard to the weight, volume, security and urgency of the material involved. The use made of the private sector is limited to the movement of parcels and packages which exceed the weight and dimension limits for inland parcel post. The proportion of mail handled this way is estimated to be less than one tenth of 1 per cent. A substantial proportion of total traffic is carried between Scottish Office buildings in departmental vans.