§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his answer of 26 November,Official Report, column 302, if he will state what action he has taken to ensure that all families of British soldiers serving in the Gulf are informed that the final date for posting air mail parcels in time for Christmas at the forces concessionary rate is 1 December.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonDetailed information on postal arrangements for forces mail to service personnel in the Gulf, including the latest posting dates for parcels under the forces concessionary rate, has been published through both official and welfare channels.
Within BAOR, from whence the majority of personnel deployed, the information has been published through forces radio, television and newspapers as well as information sheets at forces post offices and through discussions with wives' clubs.
Within the United Kingdom, similar information has been provided through unit families officers and welfare services, post office posters, and press releases by both the Royal Mail and the Ministry of Defence. In addition a Royal Mail parcelforce hotline (0800 224466) has been established specifically to deal with inquiries from members of the public on postal arrangements to the Gulf.