HC Deb 22 April 1985 vol 77 cc317-8W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many official House of Commons post paid envelopes are estimated to be sent out in the post on any one sitting day.

Mr. Biffen

Correspondence in House of Commons post paid envelopes is sent by Members and their staffs through post offices throughout the United Kingdom. These envelopes are not separately identified. I am advised, however, than an average of 7,500 items are posted daily from the House of Commons on sitting days, virtually all of which are House of Commons post paid envelopes.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Lord Privy Seal exactly how much money was paid out in 1984 to the Post Office for the provision of post paid envelopes; and how this compares with each of the past five years.

Mr. Biffen

The total cost to the House of Commons Vote—Class XIII A, Vote 1—for post paid stationery in the year 1984 was £376,748.81. The cost in the previous five years was as follows:

£
1983 351,385.36
1982 359,124.22
1981 296,229.76
1980 188,370.68
1979 81,418.53
Note: The steep rise in charges for paid stationery during 1980, by comparison with 1979, is due to a combination of rising prices and an increase in demand.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consider providing second class post paid House of Commons stationery to complement existing stationery; and whether he is able to estimate the likely savings.

paid less than £100 when overtime earnings are excluded, for all males and females and sub-divided into manual and non-manual males and females.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The available information relates to full-time adult employees working a full week and is set out below:

Mr. Biffen

No. I refer my hon. Friend to the First Report from the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services), Session 1982–83.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Lord Privy Seal what information he has showing the amount of House of Commons post paid mail that actually arrived the next day; what percentage is involved; how much arrived on a later day; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Biffen

No figures are available for mail posted from the House of Commons since this goes into the ordinary postal system and is not specially checked at the point of delivery.