§ MR. R. POWER (Waterford)asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is a fact that, until the termination of the present manufacturing contract, it is not possible, without loss to the Post Office, to sell stout cards for a less sum than 8d. per dozen; and, if so, what would be the aggregate annual loss to the Revenue supposing that, to meet the convenience of the public, these cards were sold by the Post Office at 7d. per dozen, as is now done by ordinary stationers?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)According to last year's consumption, if stout cards were sold by the Post Office at 7d. a-dozen, a loss of upwards of £24,000 to the Revenue would be incurred under the present contract. This, however, is the present price of thin postcards, which it would, of course, be 1754 necessary to reduce proportionally, and a further loss would, consequently, be incurred.