§ MR. L. HASLAM (Monmouth Boroughs)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury is he aware that inconvenience to and delay in the transaction of business are caused by the absence of facilities for stamping documents at Newport, Monmouthshire; and, seeing that this absence of facilities involves not only financial loss to traders, but places them on unequal terms of com- 542 petition with business centres, where stamping facilities are at hand, will he consider the advisability of providing the desired facilities at an early date.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The provision of stamping centres depends upon (a) the population of the town or city which they would serve, (b) the average number of documents which require stamping, and (c) the existing facilities in a neighbouring town. In the present case the population and number of documents fall below that of any town which at present has such a centre. Moreover, facilities exist at Cardiff, which is not far distant from Newport. As the number of documents to be stamped would not be increased by the creation of a centre, the course proposed would involve an additional expenditure without any compensation to the Exchequer. There are many towns which have greater claims, but at present have no stamping facilities, In these circumstances, although I regret the fact stated in the first part of the Question, I am unable to authorise the desired concession. My hon. friend, no doubt, is already aware that facilities are provided by the Post Office for the transmission, free of cost, of documents, executed or unexecuted, on prepayment of the duty.