§ 27. Mr. GINNELLasked the Post master-General under what power he exempts from the necessity of registration as a newspaper, and has allowed to pass through the post during the last nine months as a newspaper, unregistered, the weekly recruiting publication, purporting to be a newspaper, printed by the "Free man's Journal," Dublin, over a false imprint; and, having regard to the matter contained in this publication and to the facility non-registration affords for evading the consequences, will he say who is responsible for that publication?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)I am not aware that any such publication has been allowed to pass through the post at the newspaper rate or to receive telegrams at the Press rates. In order to take advantage of those rates any publication must be registered under the Post Office Act of 1908. There is no general obligation in the way of registration so far as the Post Office is concerned.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the Post Office allow a paper purporting to be a newspaper to pass through the post for nine months unregistered?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELAny newspaper may pass through the post unregistered, but if it desires to have the benefit of the special newspaper rate it must be registered.
§ Mr. GINNELLI have asked nothing whatever about the rate; what I have asked is, Who is responsible for this publication? Will the right hon. Gentleman give that information, and also say whether he requires me to keep on advertising this paper in the House of Commons by naming it?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNot at all. I have no idea whatever to what publication the hon. Gentleman is referring, and unless he informs me in the House, or by correspondence, I cannot make inquiries.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the Postmaster-General take care not to inquire?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, Sir, if the hon. Member so desires.