§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the officials recently inflicted a fine on the recipient of a private postcard which had on the address side a thin mourning border, while no fine was levied in the case of a gold-edged card; and, whether in view of the general practice of using mourning stationery in the case of the death of a relative or friend, find the extensive use of postcards by the poor, he will allow black-bordered private postcards to be transmitted without fine?
§ MR. HANBURYIn reply to the hon. Member, I have to point out that, by the rules of the service, postcards having anything written or printed or otherwise, impressed upon the front, except the address and the sender s name and address, are liable to be charged at 553 the letter rate of postage; and infringement of this rule has doubtless led to the charge which the hon. Member mentions. Mourning borders of any width may be placed upon the back of postcards, and in the circumstances, therefore, the Postmaster General does not consider it necessary to make any change. A card having a gilt or black edge merely, as distinct from border, would not be challenged.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware that postcards in countries other than Great Britain are sold at face value; and, whether, looking to the small cost involved, the Post master General will take into consideration the advisability of selling thin postcards at face value, and thus enable a poor man to buy a single card for a½d. instead of¾d. as at present?
§ MR. HANBURYI beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question asked by him on March 25 last, in which it was shown that the price of a postcard in the United Kingdom compares favourably with the prices of a postcard in other countries. Holland makes a direct charge for the material. In France the card costs 10c. In Germany 20 cards cost the equivalent of 1s. as against 11d. here. I agree with my predecessor at the Treasury in thinking that it would not be fair to the private stationer to supply gratuitously the material of the official postcard.