§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONTo ask the Postmaster-General whether it is the fact that newspapers are conveyed from the United Kingdom to every part of the world for a maximum charge of ½d. for two ounces; whether he will permit postcards to be transmitted to every part of the Empire for ½d. each; what would be the estimated loss incurred by sending postcards for ½d. each to every part of the British Empire; and what is the estimated number of postcards sent from Great Britain to our Dominions, Colonies, and Dependencies last year.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The prepaid rate of postage on newspapers not exceeding two ounces in weight for all places abroad is ½d. I do not see my way to reduce the charge on postcards. The number of postcards despatched from the United Kingdom to the rest of the Empire last year is estimated at 2,650,000. The amount of loss entailed by the introduction of a halfpenny rate would depend partly on the increase in the number of cards transmitted and on the percentage of such cards sent in lieu of letters. I have no information which enables me to frame a trustworthy estimate on these points.