HC Deb 16 July 1908 vol 192 cc1091-2
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether letters directed by Members of Parliament to public officials or departments, such as the Irish Land Com missioners, are entitled to go stamp free.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplar

Members of Parliament have no special postal privileges. Generally speaking, any letter on official business, which is directed to a Metropolitan Government Department, such as the Irish Land Commission, or to one of the chief officials of such a Government Department at his official address, may be posted without a stamp.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

inquired if letters addressed to Government Departments in Ireland, with which hon. Members had to communicate very frequently, needed to be stamped.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

replied that the Metropolitan Departments would cover London, Edinburgh, and Dublin.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

Then I have paid a lot of money unnecessarily—money which I could ill afford.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I am afraid I cannot undertake to refund any money paid.

MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick, W.)

Can letters to the Estates Commissioners be sent without stamps?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

was understood to reply in the affirmative.