When Will Government Deliver On Free Forces Post Promise?

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Apr 2003

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has asked the Government to announce when it will implement free postage arrangements for people sending packages and mail to relatives serving in the Gulf.

This was announced by the Prime Minister last week. However, Mr Lamb - who has previously written to the Secretary of State for Defence on this subject - has been told by a constituent that the Post Office does not know when the scheme will begin.

"Whilst it is very good news that Saddam Hussein's regime appears to be collapsing fast, families still want to keep in touch with their loved ones.

"The Americans already have such a freepost system in place and it works well. Surely it is only fair for the Prime Minister to make good his promise, and allow the families of British troops to send their relatives post and small packages for nothing?"