Westminster Hall adjournment debate on mail deliveries to Ardmore Peninsula, Sutherland

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on mail deliveries to Ardmore Peninsula, Sutherland

: I am tempted to begin by saying that we must stop meeting like this, Miss Widdecombe. I am delighted to serve under your chairmanship and all the more so because I know of your keen interest in the rural post service. I congratulate the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland...

: I am tempted to begin by saying that we must stop meeting like this, Miss Widdecombe. I am delighted to serve under your chairmanship and all the more so because I know of your keen interest in the rural post service. I congratulate the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland...

I am grateful to have this opportunity to raise the vital issue for my constituents on the Ardmore peninsula of mail deliveries, the cessation of which threatens the very existence of that small and vibrant community. Perhaps it would be helpful if I were to explain where the Ardmore peninsula...

I am grateful to have this opportunity to raise the vital issue for my constituents on the Ardmore peninsula of mail deliveries, the cessation of which threatens the very existence of that small and vibrant community. Perhaps it would be helpful if I were to explain where the Ardmore peninsula...

: I take the hon. Gentleman's point. I was simply stating the conditions under which the 15-minute rule applies, while making the point that the 15-minute rule was designated by Postcomm, rather than by the Royal Mail as he implied. If the track is public—he has told the House that...

: I take the hon. Gentleman's point. I was simply stating the conditions under which the 15-minute rule applies, while making the point that the 15-minute rule was designated by Postcomm, rather than by the Royal Mail as he implied. If the track is public—he has told the House that...

: I shall talk about the 15-minute rule in a moment. First, let me respond by changing things around slightly. Postcomm, not the Royal Mail, designated the 15-minute rule and decided that there should be no limit on the additional road distance travelled by a postal delivery vehicle to reach...

: I shall talk about the 15-minute rule in a moment. First, let me respond by changing things around slightly. Postcomm, not the Royal Mail, designated the 15-minute rule and decided that there should be no limit on the additional road distance travelled by a postal delivery vehicle to reach...

: My point is that the road is a public road. Until 20 years ago, the post was delivered by bicycle along the track. It is not quite up to bicycling standards now, but it is certainly up to walking standards.

: My point is that the road is a public road. Until 20 years ago, the post was delivered by bicycle along the track. It is not quite up to bicycling standards now, but it is certainly up to walking standards.

: I asked the Minister about the 15-minute rule exception. I am grateful for everything that he has said about the robustness of the processes, but will he say why Royal Mail maintained absolutely in an e-mail to me and throughout subsequent conservations between its authorities and the residents that...

: I asked the Minister about the 15-minute rule exception. I am grateful for everything that he has said about the robustness of the processes, but will he say why Royal Mail maintained absolutely in an e-mail to me and throughout subsequent conservations between its authorities and the residents that...

: That is a good story and I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman has relayed it to the House this morning. The hon. Gentleman asked whether the health and safety exemption was temporary or permanent and put a question mark over any permanency. There may be points on which...

: That is a good story and I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman has relayed it to the House this morning. The hon. Gentleman asked whether the health and safety exemption was temporary or permanent and put a question mark over any permanency. There may be points on which...

: It might help the Minister to know what the craic, as they call it, is in Kinlochbervie. All the other postmen were issued with high-quality mountain boots to enable them to go along the track. The casual postman, who as the Minister says was a mountaineer, had not been...

: It might help the Minister to know what the craic, as they call it, is in Kinlochbervie. All the other postmen were issued with high-quality mountain boots to enable them to go along the track. The casual postman, who as the Minister says was a mountaineer, had not been...