ENG-1974 — Page 210

COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

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the general standard of driving, a pilot scheme to train learner drivers indoors was introduced in June. Training courses in basic driving techniques are provided, using 16 driving simulators, a film and a computer-controlled panel, for learner drivers before they undergo driving instruction on the road. Up to the end of the year, 1,749 persons had attended such courses.

Postal Services

It was estimated that about 262 million items, comprising letters, registered arti- cles and parcels were handled during the year-an increase of 0.5 per cent compared with 1973. This was due mainly to an increase of five per cent in items received from abroad for delivery in Hong Kong, which offset a fall in outgoing air and surface mail. The fall in outward surface mail was most significant due to a sharp decline in small packet postings to China. A slight increase in items posted for local delivery was recorded despite a large fall in the volume of permit mail postings. The 'speedpost service' introduced at the end of 1973 between Hong Kong, Britain and the United States, designed to provide a rapid link for urgent business documents and commercial papers, continued to expand. A service to Brazil was also implemented and extension of these facilities to other countries was under active consideration. Express mail services to nearly 100 countries were also introduced involving 133,000 items being sent by this facility during the year. A further additional service, known as 'ac- celerated surface post' which utilises spare aircraft capacity to send surface mail for printed matters to Britain, was introduced at the end of the year. This service will probably be expanded to other destinations later.

A public opinion survey was conducted by a group of university students em- ployed by the Post Office during their summer vacation. All post offices were visited and more than 2,000 customers were invited to give their views on postal and counter services. The survey showed that while the majority of customers were satisfied with services being given, some constructive criticism was made which will prove valuable in indicating areas for improvement.

There were 68 post offices in operation at the end of the year with another two nearing completion. These provide facilities for the sale of stamps, acceptance of registered articles and parcels, and the issue and payment of postal and money orders. Business reply facilities, cash on delivery for parcels, private boxes and bags, postage meter machines and arrangements for the bulk posting of business mail are also available. Agency services on behalf of other government departments include pay- ment of public assistance benefits which now exceed 68,000 a month, an increase of more than 70 per cent on the previous year.

Mail is delivered twice a day, except in certain rural and residential areas where the volume of mail does not justify more than one delivery. A fleet of more than 80 vehicles is used for post box collections, motorised deliveries and the internal move- ment of mail. Because of the operational advantages in using the cross-harbour tunnel a significant departure from the Victoria Harbour scene was the withdrawal of the Royal Mail launches from their regular harbour services.

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