§ 26. Mr. MACMASTERasked the Postmaster-General how much revenue was received from the halfpenny postage on postcards during the year ending 31st March last?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)Owing to the disturbance caused by the War, the amount of revenue received from halfpenny postage on postcards during the year ended 31st March last can only be conjectural. It was probably about £1,600,000. In the year 1913–4 it was £1,712,000.
§ 27. Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the Postmaster-General whether he will furnish statistics to show the effect of the introduction of the halfpenny rate upon the revenue received from postage?
§ Mr. SAMUELI am sorry to say that no statistics are available which give a reliable estimate of the effect of reductions of rates apart from other influences operating at the same time.
§ 50. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that many millions of printed papers, such as notices, summonses to meetings, and insurance cards have to be sent to members of friendly societies every year in connection with their voluntary and insurance sections, that such papers are at present sent through the halfpenny post, and that the charge of a penny rate for these papers would involve a great increase in cost and a heavy burden on the management funds of these societies; and whether, in view of the injury to these and other interests which will be caused by the abolition of the halfpenny post, he will reconsider such proposed abolition?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I would ask the hon. and learned Member to await this afternoon's Debate.