§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the expected fall in the volume of Christmas post as a consequence of the rising costs of postage and greetings cards.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe Post Office, in a Press release issued on 9th December, estimated that Christmas mail would fall from 811 million letters and parcels in 1974 to about 709 million this year.
§ Mr. Tom Kingasked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the latest figures for the proportions of first and second class mail.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe Post Office tells me that over the period from 9th November to 6th December 1975 38.7 per cent. of letter traffic was sent first class and 61.3 per cent. second class.
These figures are based on sampling and exclude mail franked by users' own postage meter machines.
§ Mr. Tom Kingasked the Secretary of State for Industry how the current level of postal traffic compares with the comparable period last year.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe Post Office tells me that based on its normal statistical sampling methods—(which excludes metered mail)—it estimates that the total volume of letter traffic during the period 9th November to 6th December 1975 has declined by 12.6 per cent. when compared with the same period in 1974.