§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the decision to cancel the facility for service people in Iraq to receive parcels from home free of charge. [158777]
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§ Mr. IngramThe postal packet service, whereby named service personnel on Operation Telic were able to receive packets weighing up to 2 kg from friends and relatives free of charge, was introduced at a time when a combination of the austere conditions and the operational situation meant that service personnel did not have access to the toiletries and consumables normally available through the Expeditionary Forces Institute (the deployable arm of NAAFI). By April 2004 the rollout of Expeditionary Forces Institute facilities will be complete allowing service personnel full access to toiletries and small consumables. In addition the Operational Welfare Package is now fully deployed; this includes: a free 20 minute phone call to anywhere in the world once a week, free access to the internet, a period of rest and recuperation of two weeks in a six month deployment, a generous allocation of TVs and radios to enable access to the British Forces Broadcasting Service, videos and DVDs, free books and access to leisure facilities that include gymnasia. Personnel still receive free aerogramme letters (blueys) and e-letters (e-blueys). While the concession for free packets has been withdrawn, packets weighing up to 2 kg can still be sent at a concessionary rate of £7.23, equivalent to the Royal Mail first class inland rate. Continued provision of the free postal packet service cannot be justified under these circumstances and when other operations in other parts of the world are not in receipt of this service.