§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the new "letter cards" are printed by contract; and whether he is aware that they might be printed for 11d. per ten, leaving a fair trade profit to the printer?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONThe letter cards are printed under an arrangement which admits of a re-consideration of the price whenever a fresh order is given. There is no contract for a period of time. In the second paragraph of the question 1d. for ten is no doubt meant, not 11d., as the latter would be the price to the public including the postage. So far as the information obtainable by the Inland Revenue Department enables them to judge, the cards cannot, in view of the difficulty of manufacture, be supplied at anything like so low a charge as 1d. for ten.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREWho is the present printer, and does he at present charge 2d. for every ten cards? And I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will be good enough to take into consideration the whole 531 facts of the case; and whether, if I will bring a printer who will print these cards at 1d; for ten and still make a profit, he will entertain the offer?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONAs I have already stated, the Inland Revenue Authorities considered that the price was not more than, sufficient to cover the expense; but I shall always be glad to receive and consider any information which may be given to me.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONCan the right hon. Gentleman state the price per million we are paying for printing these cards?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONI cannot answer that question offhand.