§ MR. ELLIS DAVIES (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)To ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that The Lady newspaper can be sent by post for ½d, whilst the carriage of a parcel of newspapers of the same weight is 4d., he can consider the question of reducing the cost in the latter case, and so remove the difficulty of the supply and distribution of newspapers in thinly populated districts.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Under the Act of 1870 The Lady, as a registered newspaper, can be sent by post for ½d. in the United Kingdom irrespective of its weight. The postage upon a parcel of newspapers not exceeding two pounds in weight is not necessarily 4d. If the papers contained in the parcel are registered newspapers the total postage upon it would be ½d. for each one enclosed, unless the charge by weight were cheaper. Inasmuch as the statutory newspaper involves the Post Office in a considerable loss of revenue, I do not see my way to reducing the postage upon newspapers as the hon. Member suggests.