HC Deb 16 November 1888 vol 330 cc1378-9
MR. HANBURY (Preston)

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether in the case of the contract for post-cards given to Messrs. De la Rue a sealed pattern or sealed patterns were kept; and, whether all such sealed patterns are still in possession of the Government, and available for comparison with the post-cards actually manufactured?

THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)

No provision was made in the contract with Messrs. De la Rue for any sealed patterns strictly so-called. Consequently, no such sealed patterns were provided; but two bundles of post-cards comprised in the then existing stock of post-cards, which had all been provided by Messrs. De la Rue, were, in 1880 (the date of the contract), marked by them as specimens or standards for weight and quality. These bundles, being a portion of the stock of the Controller of Stamps, had to be produced to the Inspectors of the Board of Inland Revenue at each quarterly stock-taking; but, unfortunately, on the occasion of the stock-taking at the end of the first quarter of 1883 they were inadvertently issued to a Postmaster instead of ordinary bundles. It is to be regretted that this accident happened; but it should be stated that no difficulty could have arisen there from, because that which was more in the nature of a sealed pattern than the bundles themselves still existed. The post-cards in the bundles were according to patterns of post-cards which were approved in 1877 by the Board of Inland Revenue, and have since been kept in the specimen book, which is in careful custody. I may add that the Board are assured by their expert officers that the quality of the post-cards supplied by Messrs. De la Rue has in no way fallen off since the date of the contract.

MR. HANBURY

asked who was responsible for the fact that there was no sealed pattern, and who was responsible for the custody of these patterns, which took the places of sealed patterns?

MR. JACKSON

said, that he had stated that the stock was in the care of the Controller of Stamps, and he assumed that that officer would therefore be responsible for them.

MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)

wished to know how long a time the contract had to run?

MR. JACKSON

Two years, I think.

MR. HANBURY

Will this contract run for 10 years without any real guidance as to weight and quality?

MR. JACKSON

replied, that there were samples for three years when the accident occurred, which he had stated.