HC Deb 14 July 1980 vol 988 cc441-2W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether, as a means of reducing public expenditure, he will advise all Government Departments to use economy adhesive labels to re-use envelopes wherever possible; and why such labels are not used when writing to Members of Parliament.

Mr. Channon

Envelopes are frequently re-used for correspondence within and between Government Departments. In correspondence with members of the public economy adhesive labels are at present used extensively for reply-paid correspondence. They are, however, likely to be phased out as public posting methods are introduced. Postage will then be charged only on replies received and not, as now, on labels issued. I am satisfied that further use of adhesive labels in the way suggested would not be cost-effective, if only because they do not lend themselves to mechanisation.

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