Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will issue a general direction to the Post Office to bring more prominently to the attention of the public registering items for addresses abroad the limitation of payment for loss to which they are entitled.
§ Mr. ButcherThe level of compensation is fixed by international agreement and I understand that the Post Office is looking at ways to increase customer awareness of this. It would not be appropriate to issue a general direction in this case. The Post Office is aware that some of its customers may not understand the limited levels of compensation available in the overseas registered service. It has taken steps via its own publicity material, in particular its leaflet "How to send things you value through the post", to bring this point to the attention of the public. Regular notices are issued to all Post Office counter staff reminding them of the difference between the inland and overseas registered services. The warning about this, currently printed on official registered envelopes and the certificate of posting, is also to be improved.