§ 21. Mr. KILEYasked the Postmaster-General whether it is the intention to raise the charges for newspapers and telegrams with a view to meeting the deficit on the Vote?
§ 22. Mr. GILBERTasked the Postmaster-General whether it has yet been decided by his Department to increase the price of postage on inland and foreign postcards; and, if so, can he state what the new postage will be, and at what rate he proposes to put the same into force?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Kellaway)In order to meet the anticipated deficit on the Post Office services for the current year, the Government propose to increase certain of the postal rates as from Monday, 13th June next.
The principal changes will be an increase in the rate for postcards, inland and foreign, from 1d. to 1½d.; in the rate for inland printed papers not exceeding 1 oz. in weight from ½d. to 1d.; and in the foreign letter rate from 2½d. to 3d. There are other minor changes which I will include in a statement to be circulated with the Votes. It is not proposed to alter the charge for telegrams, or for inland letters, parcels or newspapers
These increases, most of which were foreshadowed in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement last year, are imposed solely to meet the exceptionally high costs at present prevailing. As soon as a fall in costs assures a surplus on the Post Office balance sheet, the public will be given the benefit of it by a reduction in charges.
In view of the urgent need for restricting public expenditure, the Government also propose to discontinue the collection, delivery and despatch of letters on Sunday, but a collection will continue to be made in town areas either late on Sunday night, or early on Monday morning, for local delivery.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman explain these increased charges, and will he get the sanction of the House before the new charges are imposed?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYNo, Sir, that cannot be done, but an opportunity for discussing them will be given on the Post Office Estimates.
§ Mr. GILBERTIs it proposed to have the same postage rates for inland as for foreign postcards; and, if so, can the right hon. Gentleman explain why?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYYes. The reason is that very little revenue is derived from 9 foreign postcards, and a further increase would probably have the effect of decreasing the revenue.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIs there any increase on newspapers and printed matter sent abroad?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYNot on inland newspapers, but on newspapers sent abroad, and on printed matter sent abroad.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman effecting any economies in the working expenses of the Department, so that the whole of the burden may not fall upon the public?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYYes. I am fully alive to the necessity for economy. The reason I have decided to abolish the Sunday post is that it is very un-remunerative; but I am not confining myself to that.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman say how far the deficit on the telegraph and telephone services are to be filled up by these extra charges on the postal services?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYIt will be impossible to discuss these changes now with advantage in detail, but undoubtedly there has been a deficit on the telegraph service.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAnd has that charge been thrown upon the Post Office?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYYes, it has been thrown upon the Post Office.
§ Viscount CURZONHow many of these changes will come into force before the House has an opportunity of discussing them?
§ Mr. KILEYWill the right hon. Gentleman increase the charges for private telegraph wires to the Press?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYNo. It is not proposed to put a further charge on private telegraph wires. These new charges will come into force on the 13th of June, and no doubt, if the Estimates come on before that date, hon. Members will have an opportunity of discussing this question.
§ Viscount CURZONWill the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Leader of the House to see that the Post Office Estimates are put down before the changes come into force?
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNWill the increase in the postages to foreign countries cause any increase in the postages from foreign countries to this country?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYOther foreign countries which come under the International Convention are raising their charges.
§ Sir C. YATEWould it not be better to reduce the amount of weight for inland letters from three to two ounces instead of putting an extra halfpenny on the postcards?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI do not think that would bring in the same amount of revenue.