§ MR. SUMMERSI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he will inform the House what are the terms of the contract with Messrs. De La Rue for the supply of letter cards?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONThere is no regular contract with Messrs. De La Rue for the supply of letter cards, but there is an agreement made with that firm to supply them in packets of ten, and tied in bundles of 100, at the rate of 12s. 4d. a 1,000 if ordered in quantities of 1,000,000 or upwards. The firm stated that they had, to some extent, to work in the dark in fixing this charge, and that they would be willing to re-consider the price on the occasion of a second order. In accepting these experimental terms regard was had to the fact that the manufacture of the cards was troublesome, as they had to be perforated singly, while the gumming and drying each entailed two operations. The ultimate profit to the Post Office is reckoned to be 1s. 4d. a 1,000.
§ MR. SUMMERSDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that this contract has come to an end?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONThe contract has not come to an end. It is still existing, but subject to revision upon each order given. We are hardly able to say yet whether the price is too high or not; but we have every reason to believe it is not.