§ MR. R. H. PAGETasked the Postmaster General, Whether, in view of the fact that the existing Post Office Regulation, with regard to postage payable on a card with a halfpenny stamp affixed, makes it necessary that the contents of the card should be read in the post office, in order to determine whether they are or are not of the nature of a letter, and, further, that it is practically impossible for postmasters to decide the point if the communication be written in a foreign language, or in cipher, he will reconsider the subject, and allow cards with a halfpenny stamp affixed to pass through the post office without extra charge, irrespective of the matter they may contain?
§ MR. FAWCETTAs I stated on a previous occasion when a Question on this subject was put to me by the hon. Member, the chief reason why it has been thought necessary that post cards with an embossed stamp should alone be used was that for purposes of sorting it was desirable that cards should be of a certain size and substance, and that inconvenience would arise if the sorters had to judge of these matters. I am glad, however, to say that I think I now see my way to get over the difficulty by allowing cards with a distinctive mark upon them to be sent as post cards if a halfpenny stamp is affixed for postage.
§ MR. R. H. PAGET, while thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his concession, said, that he yet hoped to make him a thorough convert to his views; and he should, therefore, call attention to the matter on going into Committee of Supply.