§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what use his Department makes of the private sector for the movement of parcels, packages, documents and letters; and if he will estimate the proportion of his Department's mail handled in this way.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe Department makes use of the private sector for the movement of large parcels and packages to the extent of about 1 per cent. by value of the88W Department's mail. Costs of mail services are monitored continuously to ensure the use of the most cost-effective methods which have regard to weight, volume, security and urgency of the material to be conveyed.