HC Deb 05 May 1913 vol 52 c1672
65. Mr. BARNES

asked the Postmaster-General the date of the Order or Rule, and quote the same, which authorises the Glasgow postmaster to charge an extra fee for delivering letters, which had been directed to business premises temporarily closed, to a private residence or other address; and if he is aware that the practice has only recently been begun?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

It is not incumbent on the Post Office to redirect any letter, and as explained to the hon. Member in my answer of the 28th April, it is necessary to restrict redirection as far as possible. The postmaster of Glasgow was instructed in 1896 not to redirect without payment of a fee letters addressed to business premises closed temporarily, and if since that date any such letters have been redirected by post office servants free of charge it has been without authority.