HC Deb 18 January 1984 vol 52 cc233-4W
Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. Whitney

A private sector air freight agent with an implant on Foreign and Commonwealth Office premises is used to arrange the dispatch and receipt of almost all material to and from overseas where national security considerations permit. It is estimated that over 50 per cent, of material passing through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is so handled.