HC Deb 07 December 1960 vol 631 cc145-6W
Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to make known the advantages and applications of mechanised units for postal services with a view to encouraging orders from abroad.

Miss Pike

Information about postal machinery now in use and under development in the United Kingdom has been supplied to practically every country in the world. Many countries have sent representatives to see our equipment whilst others have written about it and been supplied with full information, including names of manufacturers.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General what type of postal machines have been sold abroad; to which countries; and what the Post Office has earned during the past five years on exports, giving the figures for each year.

Miss Pike

The British Post Office does not itself manufacture postal machinery for export but we know that letter facing, sorting, conveying and other types of equipment have been ordered from British manufacturers by a number of countries abroad including Canada, Switzerland, Russia and Egypt. Some royalty payments will be due in respect of machines incorporating Post Office inventions or designs: but these have yet to mature, all the orders being of comparatively recent date.