§ MR. BENETT-STANFORDasked the Postmaster General, Whether any rules have been laid down by the Post Office for the construction of the Post Office Act, 1870, as regards the definition of a newspaper contained in that Act; and, if so, whether he has any objection to lay those rules upon the Table of the House; whether he holds that he is empowered under the Act of 1870 to call upon proprietors of publications presented for registration to make alterations in the character or matter of the publications, and whether this has been done since the passing of the Act; whether it is the case that his refusal to register any publication claiming to be a newspaper subjects that publication to a heavier rate of charge on every occasion of its transmission through the post; and, whether he has considered if stitched newspapers may, with public advantage, be registered and posted as newspapers?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONSir, no such rules as those referred to have been laid down. When application is made for the registration of a publication as a newspaper, it is entered on the register if it be found to be in accordance with the definition of a newspaper contained in the Act. If it be not in accordance with the definition, it is explained in what respect the publication fails to meet the requirements of the Act. The refusal to register a newspaper might render it liable to a heavier rate of charge. It is considered that it would not be advantageous to allow publications if stitched to be registered as newspapers.