§ MR. BUCKMASTER (Cambridge)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he can now state the actual reductions that he proposes to make on the postage of literature for the blind; and any regulations he proposes to promulgate with regard to that matter?
§ MR. SYDNPIY BUXTONActing on the authority given by the Bill that has just passed the House of Commons, I propose to give the following concessions, and to introduce the following regulations, in reference to the postage on literature for the blind. The books, magazines, etc., printed in type for the blind will be included in the letter and newspaper mails, and not under the parcels post. There will be a limit of weight of five pounds, and the usual limit of size, viz., two feet, by one foot, by one foot. These limits will, however, as I understand, permit any volume of blind type to receive the privileges of reduced postage. The lowest rates by which such literature can now lie sent, where it exceeds two ounces are, under the parcel post, as follows:— Up to one pound in weight, 3d.; up to two pounds in weight, 4d.; rising to 6d. for a package weighing five pounds. In future bond. Fide literature for the blind will pass at the following rates:—For packages weighing up to two ounces, -½d.; for packages up to, and not exceeding two pounds, 1d.; for packages exceeding two pounds and not exceeding five pounds l½d. That is to say, the charge on an ordinary single volume in Braille type weighing, say, 2 pounds, will be reduced from 4d. to 1d., and if it weighs between three and four pounds, which is the common weight, the charge instead of being 5d. to 6d. will be only l½d. Each packet will have to bear a printed label marked "Blind Literature," and will have to be packed so as to facilitate inspection of the contents. The new rates and regulations 466 will come into force from the 1st September.