§ MR. S. WOODS (Essex, Walthamstow)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he has considered the hardship inflicted on members of Friendly Societies, consequent on the alteration recently made in the commission charged on money orders under 20s. in value; and whether, with a view of relieving this hardship, he is prepared to consider the advisability of reverting to the old system, viz., commission of 2d. on orders under 20s. in value.
§ MR. HANBURYThe affiliated societies I understand do not make any large use of money orders for the transmission of their remittances. The Hearts of Oak, which does do so, has for some reason directed its Members to remit small sums of 2s. 6d. and 1s., which could be remitted to them for 1d. and ½d. by postal orders crossed, or otherwise by money order costing even at 2d. twice or four times as much. If the case of this Society stood alone, the Postmaster General would not feel justified ill reverting to the original charge of 2d., as all these Orders actually cost the Department 3d. But no doubt many persons of small means who transmit their wages or other sums to their families complain of the increased rate, and the Postmaster General is considering whether by reducing the cost to the Post Office lie can reduce the commission on Orders for £1 and under to 2d., but legislation may be required to enable him to do so.