§ 38. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increased postage, he can see his way to give instructions to Government Departments, when replying to Members, to enclose a franked envelope for the transmission of the official reply to Members' constituents?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not prepared to adopt the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.
§ Mr. HOGGECan my right hon. Friend say why an ordinary Member of this House should have to pay 2d. to send to his constituents Departmental information, which he and other Members of the Government send for nothing?
§ Mr. BILLINGHaving regard to the constantly increasing cost of postage, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to give the whole question of remuneration of Members of Parliament his serious consideration?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question of franking has been discussed over and over again in this House, and generally it has been turned down after a brief discussion.
§ Mr. HOGGEWe are all aware of that, but what I am suggesting is that the Departmental reply to a Member for his constituents should be allowed to be franked, just as it would be if sent by a Minister?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member knows very well that, unless you allow hon. Members to frank all letters, it is very difficult to distinguish between one letter and another, unless there be some system of censorship to open the letters—a system I heard deprecated the other day.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs my right hon. Friend not aware that my question suggests only a specific type of letter, namely, a Departmental reply to a Member of this House, and that an envelope should be enclosed in that answer, so that we can send it on to our constituents?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will put that suggestion to my right hon. Friend (the Postmaster-General), and see whether it can be worked without setting 880 up expensive machinery, which would involve trying to establish a distinction between one letter and another.