77. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked how many copies of the "Post Office Guide" were sold during 1911; how many of these were disposed of through wholesale sources, and how many were sold direct to members of the public; and how long a time usually elapses between the receipt of a request for the guide and its dispatch?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe number of copies of the Post Office Guide sold during 1911 was 98,776, of which 82,178 were sold direct to the members of the public over the counter and 16,598 were delivered to subscribers at their addresses. The Guide is not sold through wholesale agents. As a rule, when a copy of the Guide is asked for at the counter, it would be delivered at once, and if written for it I would be dispatched on the day on which the request is received or on the day after.
Mr. FRED HALLHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to a case in which an individual wrote for a copy of the Guide on the 18th November and on the 28th November had not yet received a copy, although he had had two communications from the Department respecting the matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELMy attention has been called to a case reported in the newspapers to which no doubt the hon. Member refers. There has been a very remarkable run on the Post Office Guide owing to a competition which is taking place under the auspices of some newspaper in which the towns mentioned in the Post Office Guide have to be taken into account.
Mr. FRED HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman take the necessary steps to see the proper number are printed in order that the desires of the public may be complied with?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt is very difficult to foresee a demand of this kind, however desirable it may be from the point of view of the National Revenue.