§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether any fresh contract has been made or renewed with Messrs. De la Rue and Co. for the supply of stamps, inks, or postcards; if so, for what period; and when the present contracts with Messrs. De la Rue and Co. will terminate.
§ MR. HANBURYA fresh contract has been made with Messrs. De La Rue 186 for the supply of stamps and postcards, and runs for ten years. The contract which would have run up to end of 1901 was cancelled, and a very large reduction on the cost of that contract was effected, to commence from 1st October, 1899. We were also able, under the new contract, to supply a larger commercial postcard. The present contract for ink has been in existence since 1882, and is terminable at any time on giving twelve months' notice. The latter contract is one made by the Post Office, and not as the rest of the contract by the Inland Revenue. I may state that I think the hon. Member for Canterbury has done a great public service in calling attention to the contracts for inks.