§ 31. Sir WILLOUGHBY DICKINSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that postcards bearing a halfpenny stamp are still being issued to the public, how long such issue is likely to be continued; and whether, seeing that such issue will mislead purchasers into the belief that cards so stamped are sufficiently stamped for transmission by post, he will consider the advisability of either postponing the operation of the new Regulations that require postcards to bear a penny stamp or in any case relieving the receivers of insufficiently stamped postcards from having to pay double postage?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Illingworth)It was inevitable that small stocks of postcards bearing halfpenny stamps should be left in the hands of postmasters when the new postage rates were introduced, and it was not considered justifiable to make them waste. They will soon be exhausted. I hope the steps taken to make the new postage rates generally known will prevent any impression that a postcard can pass through the post for one halfpenny.
§ Sir W. DICKINSONI should like a specific answer to my question as to how long this issue will continue?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHIt will vary slightly in different offices, but I should say, generally, about a fortnight.
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHSome are being prepared.