HC Deb 08 April 1913 vol 51 cc995-7
61. Mr. JAMES HOGGE

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office has any arrangement with weekly and other newspapers for delivering letters addressed to their various competitions; if so, with which papers; and whether he can state the largest number of letters delivered to such and the smallest, giving the weekly total in each case?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

It is the practice to make special arrangements for the delivery of letters when the number to be delivered is unusually large, and such arrangements are made with the publishers of newspapers as with others. To give the figures asked for would involve considerable labour and cost in the preparation of special Returns.

Mr. HOGGE

Have these separate weekly newspapers definite arrangements with the Post Office by which the business in connection with these competitions is conducted for them by the Post Office?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

No special arrangements are made; they are exactly the same as with other people having a large postal business.

62. Mr. JAMES HOGGE

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department has considered the advisability of approaching the Swiss Government with a view to their co-operation in making illegal competitions advertised in this country by newspaper proprietors and others which could not be conducted in the United Kingdom?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The question of competitions carried on abroad which would be illegal in this country is under my consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement.

Mr. HOGGE

In view of the sweepstakes being advertised in the current periodical journals in this country, with guarantees by responsible persons, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that something ought to be done before the sweepstakes take place?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am afraid that it would require legislation, and I am not sure that it would be possible to pass legislation before the sweepstakes take place.

Mr. HOGGE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Dutch Government have driven these people out of Holland? Surely we can drive them out of Switzerland?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

We did not drive them out of Holland. The Dutch Government have driven them out of Holland, and the British Government have driven them out of England, and also out of Scotland.