HC Deb 06 July 1897 vol 50 cc1215-6
MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General (1) whether he is aware that on 23rd June the Postal authorities fined a merchant for sending an order for goods in the following words "please send at once," and that, in answer to the complaint, a reply (No. 243,426) was sent, stating that the order contained written matter other than that allowed; and (2) whether the fine was imposed for the words "please send" or the words "at once."

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) Preston

On the date mentioned an order for goods such as described was charged with letter postage, and the addressee who complained of the charge was informed as stated by the hon. Member. When orders for goods are sent by book-post they may not contain any written matter beyond the particulars specified in the Post Office Guide, and they become liable to letter postage if any communications such as "please send at once" or "please send" are written and not printed or hand-stamped. This was fully explained to the hon. Member on June 23rd, 1896, when I stated that the concessions which have been made in the past in order to extend the privilege of a cheap and unremunerative post have already gone as far as it is possible to justify, and, if the apparent inconsistencies which have resulted from such concessions are found inconvenient, it may be desirable to reconsider the whole matter and subject all documents of a like character to the letter rate of postage.

MR. HENNIKER HEATON

Will my right hon. Friend answer the last paragraph?

MR HANBURY

Three words out of the four are wrong. "Send" is the only word allowed, "please" and "at once" are not allowed.