§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether in four years the number of privately printed cards stamped for the post by the inland Revenue Department rose from 3,000,000 to 50,000,000 per annum; whether the Post Office Authorities increased the charge for impressing the Queen's head on these cards from 1s. to 1s. 6d. per 1,000 with a view to confine the supply of stationery as far as possible to Messrs. De La Rue & Co., and so to compensate them partially for the reductions of price to which they had consented; whether the result of this decision to increase the charge for stamping cards has been an addition to the profits resulting to Messrs. De La Rue & Co. from their existing contracts; and, whether the decision in question has ever been communicated to Parliament?
§ * MR. RAIKESThe figures in the first part of the question are substantially correct, except that the period should be six instead of four years. As to the second paragraph of the question, the reasons for the increase of fee for stamping private postcards from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. (not 1s. to 1s. 6d.) per 1,000 were given at length by the Secretary to the Treasury on the 9th of July last in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East. It is impossible for me to say what effect the increase of the fee has had upon Messrs. De La Rue's profits, of which I have no cognisance. But if the hon. Member desires to imply that in fixing the present charge Her Majesty's Government were actuated by a wish to increase Messrs. De La Rue's receipts, I can assure him that the insinuation is as unfounded as, I am bound to say, it is offensive.
§ MR. H. HEATONIn reference to the fourth paragraph of my question, may I ask whether the decision has ever been laid on the Table of this House?
§ * MR. RAIKESI believe that it has been communicated by the Secretary to the Treasury.
§ MR. H. HEATONWill the right hon. Gentleman lay the document on the Table?
§ * MR. RAIKESI will communicate with the Treasury.