HC Deb 13 May 1977 vol 931 c634W
Mr. Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost of OHMS postage incurred by the Newcastle upon Tyne office of his Department and what percentage of the letters sent were by first-class post.

Mr. Deakins

The total cost of OHMS postage incurred by the Newcastle upon Tyne office of my Department in the year ending April 1977 was £ 2¼ million. It is not feasible to separate each individual postal category, but, overall, 30 per cent. of all outgoing mail—including letters and packages of all kinds and order books for the payment of pensions and allowances—was despatched by first-class post.