Plea to internet companies over deliveries
Allow customers to use Royal Mail over costly private firms, urges Scots MP
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INTERNET shopping companies were urged last night to allow customers to opt for Royal Mail deliveries to avoid private courier companies which levy high charges for deliveries in some parts of the Highlands and islands.
The appeal from Liberal Democrat Scottish affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael came after Commons exchanges in which Postal Services Minister Pat McFadden ignored his protest over mail order firms either refusing to deliver in some areas or only doing so at an exceptionally high surcharge. The Orkney and Shetland MP had earlier urged the UK Government to act to stop businesses overcharging to deliver Christmas presents to his constituents.
He said some had no option but to use internet and mail order companies for goods not available locally, only to find some “will either not deliver to island communities or do so only at an exceptionally high surcharge”. He called for action to ensure a universal service.
Mr McFadden used the chance instead to warn Royal Mail that any more industrial action could cost it future parcel-delivery business in what is a growing area.
Mr Carmichael said the best option is to do as much Christmas shopping locally as possible, but there were things for which there is no alternative but internet and mail order companies.
He said: “It is a major irritation to local people that we are routinely excluded from taking advantage of opportunities that other parts of the country take for granted.
“This is because no thought was given to how competition would affect communities like ours when it was introduced in the parcel post market.
“I am calling on all web-based shopping sites to offer the Royal Mail standard parcel service as one of their delivery options so my constituents can get their Christmas presents and deliveries on time and at a reasonable cost.”
