81. Mr. ALAN SYKESasked whether any extra charge over and above the value 1796 of the stamps is made to those people who buy their insurance stamps in the roll?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe answer is in the negative.
82. Mr. ALAN SYKESasked the Post master-General whether the rolls of insurance stamps are printed in one continuous strip or whether the rolls are made by joining together a number of lengths; and, if the latter, whether he will consider the advisability of adopting a more economical and businesslike method?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAt present the rolls are made by joining a number of lengths. The possibility of printing the stamps in a continuous strip is under consideration.
Mr. ALAN SYKESWould it not be cheaper if the Postmaster-General had proper machinery for the purpose?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe subject is under consideration.
83. Mr. ALAN SYKESasked the Post master-General why he charges Id. More than the value of the stamps when he sells a roll of 500 penny postage stamps; and whether he will consider the question of abolishing this charge of 1d., as in most commercial enterprises it is usual to give an advantage to customers who buy in bulk and not to penalise them?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The charge is made to meet the additional cost of issuing postage stamps in this form, and as at present advised I do not see my way to placing the rolls on sale at their face value.
Mr. ALAN SYKESMay I ask whether the additional cost is not due to the Post Office not having the necessary machinery to print the stamps in long strips, and the additional labour which is necessary to paste together the short strips?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI do not think the extra cost is due to that. There would be extra cost in any case. If the additional cost should be reduced by the new machinery which is contemplated the question of the additional charge might be reconsidered.