§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that the gumming of the new stamps was very defective; that in two cases letters posted from London addressed to a foreign country and properly stamped before posting were delivered at their place of destination without any stamp and the addressee charged double postage; whether he would see that the gumming of stamps was made effective; and whether he would consider the refunding of any loss that might accrue to individuals from defective gumming?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe gumming of adhesive postage stamps printed by the new contractors has, no doubt, been somewhat below the standard attained by the old contractors. Every effort has been made at my instance by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to bring the gumming up to the proper standard, and considerable improvement has already been effected. With respect to the last paragraph of the question, I have already stated that such claims are complied with where they are shown to be well founded.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWas the contract for gumming cheaper than the last contract?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe contract is not so divided.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman obtain the information?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere is no separate contract for gumming.
§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESWill the right hon. Gentleman give his attention to improving the perforation also?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe perforation has been improved, and I believe it is now satisfactory.