§ Mr. CROFTasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Post Office have made a rule not to admit any wine or spirit advertisements into the books of stamps; and will he state on what grounds these advertisements are refused?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The rule to which the hon. Member refers was made with my approval, because I do not think it advisable that the post offices should disseminate advertisements which would be disapproved by a considerable number of the taxpayers, to whom the post offices belong.
§ Mr. CROFTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman why Australian and French wine growers, or British importers connected with the licensed trade, should be prevented from advertising in the stamp-books, in view of the enormous contributions derived by the State from the legal trade they carry on?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThat may be, but I do not think advertisements should be accepted by the Pest Office when their publication in that way would be likely to be made the subject of controversy.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt is obviously a purely Departmental matter.
§ Mr. CROFTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the letter refusing the advertisements contained the following words: "We take it you have no non-alcoholic beverage that you wish to advertise"?