HC Deb 26 May 1884 vol 288 cc1295-6
MR. GRAY

asked the Postmaster General, Whether, when a large number of the people of Ireland were in danger of death by starvation four years ago, and were only saved by appeals to the charity of the world, application was made by the Mansion House Relief Committee to the Post Office to transmit their letters free of postage, and the application was refused; whether communications on the business of the Fisheries Exhibition last year were, and communications on the business of the Health Exhibition this year are, transmitted through the Post Office free of postage; and, whether he is aware that the former Exhibition made a considerable profit last year?

MR. FAWCETT

The case is correctly stated by the hon. Member. The difference is this—that precedents exist for opening non-paying accounts for postage between Royal Commissions appointed by Her Majesty's Government and the Post Office; but, so far as I can ascertain, there is no instance of such a privilege being conferred on any body not appointed by the Government.

MR. GRAY

Upon what principle are these non-paying accounts opened? Do all public bodies open these accounts?

MR. FAWCETT

said, he had simply to administer decisions. So far as he was able to ascertain it, the test was that a Royal Commission was a Royal appointment, and was supposed to hold a trust for the public.

MR. GRAY

What I want to know is, whether all such bodies enjoy the privilege of free postage?

MR. FAWCETT

could not say that all such bodies did. But, so far as he had been able to ascertain, there were many precedents for conferring this privilege upon Royal Commissioners.

MR. GRAY

I shall take an early opportunity of calling attention to the subject.

MR. BIRKBECK

asked whether it was not a fact that free postage had been granted to all International Exhibitions in London when space had not been sold and speculation had been excluded; and, further, whether in cases where free postage had been granted for Exhibitions, they had not been national undertakings beyond the sphere of personal profit and for the sole interest of the community at large?

MR. FAWCETT

explained that there had not been time for him to obtain the information asked for; but if the hon. Member would postpone his Question until after Whitsuntide, he would very gladly answer it.