HC Deb 16 June 1893 vol 13 cc1191-2
Mr. BODKIN (Roscommon, N.)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, having regard to the recent Resolution of the House of Commons declaring that Members of Parliament, are entitled to reasonable remuneration for their labour, loss of time, and necessary expenses in the Public Service, he will give favourable consideration to some arrangement by which they may at least be partially relieved from the expense of the postal correspondence necessary for the proper discharge of their duties; whether, with this object, he will consider the advisability of extending the system that already prevails in Public Departments, by providing a special impressed stamp to be applied to all letters of Members posted unstamped within the precincts of the House of Commons; and whether he will ascertain, as nearly as possible, the small loss that such an arrangement would entail on the Post Office, and will consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to the best means of making good the same?

MR. A. MORLEY

I have no doubt that the decision of the House of Commons on the question of payment of Members was influenced, to some extent, by the consideration of the expense incurred by Members in connection with the large amount of correspondence imposed upon them. Up to 1840 Members had the right to frank letters; but this practice led to so much abuse that by an Act of that year (3 and 4 Vic. c. 96) it was provided that except in certain specified cases— All privileges whatsoever of sending letters by the post free of postage, or at a reduced rate of postage, shall wholly cease and determine. Under these circumstances an Act of Parliament would be required to repeal the Act of 1840, and in view of the reasons which led to the passing of that Act I am not prepared to recommend or support such a step.

MR. BODKIN

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if in the case of Public Departments Ministers are excluded from the operation of the Act, and are permitted practically to send out letters free? Could not the same privilege be granted to every Member of the House? Again, in regard to the abuse which it was found necessary to remedy by Act of Parliament, was it not the practice by which Members were allowed to frank the letters of their friends? Would the same objection apply to letters posted within the precincts of the House?

MR. HENNIKER HEATON

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of what would be the cost of the reform suggested by the hon. Member?

MR. A. MORLEY

No, Sir. The hon. Member for Roscommon is mistaken in thinking the heads of Public Departments have the right of free postage. The stamping is only dispensed with by arrangement with the Postal Authorities.

MR. BODKIN

Would not a similar arrangement be possible in the case of all Members of the House of Commons. The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question as to the cost.

MR. A. MORLEY

I have stated that I am not prepared to recommend or support any such legislation, and it is not, therefore, necessary to get an estimate of the cost.

MR. BODKIN

May I press the right hon. Gentleman to consult—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!