Postal archive is safe

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We would like to reassure readers and everyone who has an interest in the UK's unique postal heritage that the historically important records at the British Postal Museum and Archive (BPMA) are secure (Under threat: 400 years of social history, Society, 28 September).

In 2004, Royal Mail Group took the pioneering step to establish the BPMA as a charitable trust. A deliberate decision was taken to protect artefacts by placing them in separate legal ownership, and the archive material is classified as public record and is protected by law. The heritage was further strengthened more recently during the passage of the Postal Services Act. A clause was added to the legislation that recognised the significance of the postal heritage under the care of the BPMA by requiring an annual report to be submitted to parliament on the care of the collections. This will continue whatever decisions are taken on the future ownership of Royal Mail.

Royal Mail Group continues to provide £2m a year to the BPMA, and work continues to establish a new, permanent home for the archive, as well as the museum's large collection of historic postboxes, vehicles, uniforms and more.
Jon Millidge
Company secretary, Royal Mail Group
Adrian Steel
Director, British Postal Museum and Archive