§ MR. O'SHEE (Waterford, W.)To ask the Postmaster-General if he will say whether a circular which is printed in imitation of typewriting, enclosed in an unsealed envelope, is liable to the letter rate of postage; and, if so, will he explain why a distinction is drawn between such printing and printing in ordinary type.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) Circulars printed in imitation of type-writing and enclosed in unsealed envelopes are admitted to the privilege of the halfpenny post on condition that they are handed in at a head or branch Post Office, that special attention is called to their nature, and that at least twenty copies are posted at the same time. Unless these conditions are complied with the circulars are liable to letter postage. There is no infallible and easily applied test which will enable the Post Office to distinguish between type-written letters and circulars printed to imitate them, and it is necessary to impose the special conditions referred to in order to afford evidence that the halfpenny post is not being improperly used for the transmission of typewritten correspondence.