§ Sir W. BYLESI beg to ask the Postmaster-General a question of which I have give him private notice: Whether he is now in a position to state the intentions of the Government in regard to the halfpenny postage and the Press telegraph rates?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELWith respect to the proposal to abolish the halfpenny postal rates, it is clear from the representations which have been received that, even if it were adopted for the period of the War, there would be a widespread public demand for a return to the halfpenny rates when peace was restored. The additional rate cannot be regarded therefore as likely to prove a continuing source of revenue. As to the amount of revenue to be expected the Post Office estimate was presented to the Committee on Retrenchment as speculative, since there was no previous experience which could afford any guidance. The estimate made a large allowance for probable diminution of 1198 traffic, in consequence of the increased rates, but it is recognised that that allowance, may well be insufficient, particularly at the outset. In view of these considerations, and of the disturbance of business arrangements which would be involved by the changes, the Government will not proceed with the proposed increases in the postcards and halfpenny packet rates. At the same time it is considered that the regulation by which any registered daily or weekly newspaper, up to a limit of 5 lbs. in weight, must be carried by the Post Office for a halfpenny should no longer be continued. I shall propose that the halfpenny rate should be confined to newspapers, weighing 6 ozs. or less, which will include all the ordinary numbers of the daily papers, and that above that weight the charge should be an additional halfpenny for every 6 ozs. With respect to the Press telegraph rates, I have been in communication with representatives of all the Press organisations, and shall propose, by agreement with them; a modified scale of charges. I will make a further statement on the Second Reading of the Bill.