Written question asked by Lord Hanningfield (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Drayson (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 May 2007.

Armed Forces: Postage

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a full parcel service is now operated by the British Forces Post Office to locations situated in and around the Gulf.

Answer: Wherever possible, the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) provides a subsidised surface parcels service to personnel serving overseas in conjunction with Parcelforce, which can normally accept items up to 30 kilograms in weight, or 1 kilogramme if they are to be delivered to HM ships by air. BFPO does not operate a parcels service to locations in and around the Gulf, as this would have the potential to overwhelm the supply system supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. BFPO does, however, operate a subsidised airmail letter and small packet service, up to a maximum of 2 kilograms in weight, principally to forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the operational welfare package.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3229; 691 c208-9WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Armed forces Iraq Peacekeeping operations Postal services Parcels Afghanistan British Forces Post Office
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk