§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what instructions he has issued to his Department as to the use of first-class mail; and whether he will issue appropriate directions to ensure that only urgent letters are sent first class.
§ Mr. PrenticeMy Department follows the principle that the second-class service should be used for all mail except when there is judged to be a clear and defensible need for the use of the first-class service. Staff are reminded periodically of the need for economy in the use of official paid envelopes, and the latest reminder in this respect was on 23rd April on the occasion of the recent increase in postal charges.