§ Mr. SykesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to rationalise the activities of the Defence Postal and Courier Services agency. [26751]
§ Mr. SoamesAs part of "Front Line First", my Department announced its intention to integrate departmental mail services, rationalise vehicle fleets, provide better training of all personnel and set up a strategic management structure across all three services.
These proposals were explained in a consultative document issued on 9 March 1995. No objections to the proposals were received during the consultation period, and I have therefore decided that we shall begin work on rationalising the mail and courier operations of the Department. A number of activities previously carried out at several separate locations in the centre of London will be rationalised, and concentrated at the British forces post office site, in Mill Hill, north-west London. This will involve the main MOD mail sorting operation and the Defence Postal and Courier Service terminal centred on St. Giles court, London WC2, and mail and courier vehicles currently located at Regents Park barracks.
Inglis barracks, Mill Hill is the headquarters of the Defence Postal and Courier Service agency and will absorb the additional personnel management and training commitment implicit in the rationalisation.
We will of course continue to consult staff and trade unions about the detailed implementation of this rationalisation.