§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. ButlerNorthern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office make use of private sector services for the delivery of mail where this is found to be the most cost-effective means of doing so having regard to the weight, volume, security and urgency of the material to be conveyed. Records are not maintained, but it is estimated that mail handled by private firms would account for less than 1 per cent. of the total volume.