HC Deb 22 February 1904 vol 130 c564
MR. HEMPHILL (Tyrone, N.)

I beg to ask the Postmaster - General whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction expressed in many quarters with the introduction of the cash-on-delivery system by the postal authorities; and whether, having regard thereto, he will withhold his sanction from the proposed system.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, Westhoughton

Representations have been made to me expressing dissatisfaction with the prospect of the introduction of a system of cash on delivery; and I have received others in support of such an arrangement. I have the question under consideration, and am collecting evidence as to the working of the system in the countries in which it is already established and its probable effect if instituted in the United Kingdom. I have as yet come to no decision on the scheme; and I do not propose to sanction its introduction unless, and until, I am satisfied that such a course would be for the benefit of the community in general.

MR. BAYLEY

Will the noble Lord take the opinion of the House before he sanctions the experiment?

LORD STANLEY

I certainly shall not introduce the system before the Estimates are introduced.