The Postmaster General has admitted the policy of opening Christmas parcels is "an irritation.'' But Mr. Clevelyn Crichlow says it is necessary to let Customs see what is in the parcels sent from abroad.

Mr. Crichlow was responding to a complaint by visitor Mr. James Ryan of Stamford, Connecticut, who witnessed an old woman having to open a Christmas parcel at the Post Office in Hamilton.

Mr. Ryan said: "This dear old lady was at the Post Office to pick up a package she received for Christmas and was given a sharp knife and told to open the package.

"She was struggling with the package and getting nowhere fast. Finally she got it halfway open and the young officer in charge gave the command: `I can't see what is in it. Open it all the way.' "She tried again with that dangerous pointed knife and thought she had sufficiently opened it when `commander' gave the same order.'' The woman pulled out gifts wrapped in Christmas paper and was told to open them. Mr. Ryan said: "There in front of all the people waiting in line she had to open her Christmas gift.

"She was in tears. She said: `It was the one Christmas gift I wait for every year from my only sister overseas and I was looking forward to opening it on Christmas morning.' "Today I saw age abuse on this lovely Island of Bermuda and my heart is heavy. I don't want to believe what I saw.'' Mr. Crichlow explained that the system is that Customs has a job examining parcels for any illegal goods or any goods that may be "duty-able.'' He said: "The Post Office is required to let the Customs officers see what is in the parcels. Unfortunately it applies to anything that comes in.

"The policy is normally for the recipient to be asked to open the parcel in the presence of the officer.'' The Postmaster General added that he prefers the recipient to open the parcel in case there is any problem with items that are broken or missing.

He said: "If they open it then there is no question about what is in the parcel. It is a protection for our staff.

"I am sure that in many cases our staff will open the parcel for people who do not wish to know what is in the parcel. But I prefer it to be the person who receives the parcel who opens it.'' Mr. Crichlow pointed out that the Post Office, this year, has added specially enclosed counters so people can open their parcels in private. Only the officer and the person can see what is inside.

But he admitted that he beleives the whole thing is an irritation and he said: "We are looking at ways it can be improved although there is no alternative at the moment.''