§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement about the(a) status of and (b) future of the postal archive and the property of what was formerly the Postal Museum. [24570]
§ Mr. AlexanderThis is an issue for Consignia plc. I am advised by the company that the archives of the Post Office from 17th to 20th century, including historical documents, maps and posters, are open to the public at Freeling House at Mount Pleasant in London on weekdays with no need of an appointment.
The artefacts of the national Postal Museum are stored at Freeling House and most of the philatelic material may be viewed by appointment. Various options are currently being considered for enhanced philatelic study facilities and improved public access to the museum collections.