§ Captain GILMOURasked the Postmaster-General if it has been definitely decided that about June next the official 689 thin buff post-card will be sold at its face value; and, if so, whether his attention has been called to the loss which will be entailed by such a policy on the private traders in the stationery business?
EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the Postmaster-General if it is his intention to supply post-cards and letter-cards to the public at the cost of the transmission fee only, i.e., a halfpenny and one penny respectively; and, if so, has he considered the ill-effect which such State competition with private enterprise will have upon the business of a large number of persons engaged in the stationery trade?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt will perhaps be convenient if I reply to these two questions together. The answer to the first part of each question is in the affirmative. I carefully considered the effect upon the stationery trade of this desirable reform, which has so often been urged on my Department, before I decide to adopt it.
§ Lord RONALDSHAYWho will pay for the post-cards and letter-cards as distinct from the transmission fee. Will it be the taxpayer?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELPost-cards and letter-cards will after Coronation Day be sold at face value, as foreign post-cards have been sold for many years, and as all post-cards are sold in every important country of the world, except Holland.
§ Mr. YOUNGERWill the right hon. Gentleman state what result he arrived at as being the effect on the stationery trade?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI think for a short time there may be some shrinkage in the sale of private post-cards, which will probably be recouped before long by the general growth of Post Office business. Before 1894 private stationers and manufacturers were not allowed to sell any unstamped private post-cards at all for circulation through the post.