§ Baroness Hornsby-Smithasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent the computerisation of letters bearing the post code is operative, and why in the London postal area first-class postage letters can take between two and four days to arrive.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Lucas of Chilworth)The Post Office's plan for mechanised handling of letter mail is scheduled for completion by the end of 1985 and involves 81 mechanised letter offices. Of these 67 are now operational, handling mechanically 70 per cent, of all United Kingdom mail that can be handled in that way.
Of first-class letters posted in the United Kingdom for delivery in Inner London the Post Office aims to deliver, on average, 92 per cent. on the first working day after collection. This aim makes allowance for some letters taking longer, for example because they need to travel long distances and have been posted late in the day, or because of transport failures or because of errors made by customers or postal staff.
In 1984 an average of 85.2 per cent, of first-class letters posted in the United Kingdom for delivery in Inner London were delivered on the first working day after collection. In its report published in September 1984, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission stressed the importance of the Post Office's improving delivery performance in London. This is fully recognised by the Post Office, which is undertaking a wide range of measures, including a number recommended by the commission, to secure and maintain performance to target.