MPs slams Mail marketing

LEWES MP Norman Baker is calling on Royal Mail bosses to reveal the cost to the taxpayer of sending out 'fabulously' packaged material to local businesses to drum up trade.

The package, delivered to selected addresses by expensive special delivery, comprises a high quality deep-grey box, inside of which are two letters from Royal Mail and a marketing brochure.

The brochure has a hole through it in which sits a rubber stress-ball.

But the ball had the opposite effect when one local businesswoman received it.

'She was appalled by the waste of public money and complained to me,' said Mr Baker.

'This package is clearly far from cheap. I am writing to ask Royal Mail exactly how much each box costs, and how many have been sent out.

'At a time when Royal Mail is turning in huge losses and cutting out second deliveries to save money, this sort of marketing looks crass in the extreme.

'If this is symptomatic of Royal Mail management, it is not surprising that they are in a mess.'

A Royal Mail (Consignia) spokesman said: 'The activity Mr Baker refers to is a direct mailing for one of our strongest products special delivery.

'It is even more crucial at a time when we are losing money to market one of our most profitable products as strongly as possible.

'The fact is that special delivery competes in an intense market place and to maintain and build our share we must use all the means available. What may be seen as a gimmick is in fact an effective marketing tool used by many companies.'