§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Postmaster General, (1) whether any charge is made for printing stamps on private envelopes or postal wrappers, if the total value of the stamps is £10; (2) whether he is aware that at present the charge for printing private post cards is 2s. 6d. per quire, or £2. 10s. per ream; and that the actual cost of this printing does not exceed 2d. to 3d. per quire, or 3s. to 5s. per ream; and (3) whether he will extend to private post cards the same regulations and charges as for postal wrappers and private envelopes referred to in the first question?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYThe answer to the first paragraph of my hon. Friend's question is, No. The answer to the second is, Yes; except that the actual cost is considerably higher than the price mentioned in the question. As regards the third paragraph, I must point out that its adoption would not only necessitate additions to the establishment at Somerset House, for which I see no justification, but would also demand additional space, which it is impossible to provide. My hon. Friend's question shows that very considerable facilities are already afforded to private individuals 726 by the Inland Revenue Authorities; and, for the reasons given, I cannot hold out any hope of increasing them. I need not remind my hon. Friend that it is always open to the private purchaser to avoid the charge in question by stamping his own cards with adhesive stamps.