HC Deb 21 November 1968 vol 773 cc308-9W
Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what further steps he plans to take to prevent letters posted under the 4d. second-class mail in the West country from being deliberately delayed;

(2) why letters posted in the Okehampton—Holsworthy area, and for delivery in that same area, are sent to Exeter for sorting; and what is the actual saving in costs with this method.

Mr. Joseph Slater

Postal services in the West and elsewhere are continuously under review and second-class letters are not delayed unnecessarily. Local letters for delivery in the Okehampton and Holsworthy areas are not now sent to Exeter.

Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Postmaster-General why letters posted in the Bideford area for delivery in that same area are sent to Barnstaple for sorting; and what is the actual saving in costs with this method.

Mr. Joseph Slater

This refers to second-class letters only, which are nevertheless included in the first delivery next day when this can be done without prolonging it. Some £3,000 a year will be saved by sorting at Barnstaple letters collected from the surrounding area, but I am sorry I am unable to isolate savings for particular elements of the scheme.