§ SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether, having regard to the saving effected for the State by Friendly and Benefit Societies, he sees any objection to the relaxation of the general rule against written matter being inserted in printed circulars intended for the halfpenny post, by permitting a statement of subscriptions in arrear, and other official communications, to be added at the foot of the circular notices summoning lodge and other meetings of such societies?
§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether he will not allow invoices containing the definite article and demonstrative pronoun, when printed at the head of invoices, in connection with various stipulations referring to the goods named in said invoices, to be charged at the rate of one halfpenny, when such heading or notice is wholly "printed and is intended for transmission in identical terms to several persons," seeing that it would be permitted were the heading printed on a separate piece of paper and wrapped up with the invoice?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)The definition of documents admissible at the book rate was very carefully considered when the Act of 1870 was passed, and is laid down in a Treasury Warrant issued under that Act. It would not be in my power to make any change in its terms without further reference to the Treasury. I may say that even under the present conditions there is a very large loss of revenue already incurred in this part of the Service. The subject is, therefore, one which requires much closer examination before I can undertake to propose any change. As regards the Question of the 1088 hon. Member for Manchester, I have only just received from him a specimen of the invoice to which he refers; and after I have been able to examine it I will let him know whether the document can be allowed to pass at book rate or not.