To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to make arrangements for members of the armed services serving in Afghanistan to be able to receive Christmas parcels after the end of October. (226882)

The MOD, in conjunction with Royal Mail Group, provides a free mail service for letters and packets, up to 2 kg in weight, from families and friends to named MOD personnel deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq throughout the year. The latest posting date to guarantee Christmas delivery is 5 December 2008.