§ MR. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he contemplates issuing an order to raise the stamp on assessment notices from a halfpenny to a penny; and whether, before doing so, he will consider the expense which this will entail on local authorities.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) Before the 1st of January, 1904, local authorities had the privilege of sending notices by halfpenny post under certain conditions, and probably the assessment notices to which the hon. Member refers were so sent. As, however, I informed the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty yesterday,† under the present regulations which came into force on the date mentioned, the only public officers who are entitled to send notices (other than those which come within the postal definition of a "circular") by the halfpenny post are officers of a Court of justice.