Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the impact of foot and mouth disease has been on the Royal Mail postal service; when full postal service will be restored; and if he will make a statement. [154219]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonI have been advised by the Post Office that Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide are following advice from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about delivering letters and parcels during the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Guidelines have been issued to all staff about deliveries in affected areas, and where advised appropriate precautions are being taken.
Post Office staff can deliver mail and parcels as normal in all areas of the country except those within the restriction zones where special arrangements have been agreed with affected customers. Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide are co-operating fully with all sanitary arrangements, which have been put in place by landowners outside quarantined areas regarding deliveries.
The Post Office is in constant contact with MAFF and will continue to co-operate fully with their instructions. The full service will be restored when the current outbreak has been eradicated.