HC Deb 28 February 1922 vol 151 cc262-4
75. Mr. HURD

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has been advised by the South-Western Alliance of Master Printers that a good deal of the unemployment and short time in the printing trade is due to high postal rates, and that many printing orders are going abroad; and whether, in view of the general condemnation of these high rates as being unsound in principle and a grave impediment to industrial restoration, he will now announce their withdrawal?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I have, received representations of the kind referred to in the first part of the question, but, as I pointed out in reply to the hon. Member for East Grinstead (Mr. Cautley), it is not the fact that the cost of postage is the only or principal cause. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Leader of the House on 16th February in reply to the hon. and learned Member for York (Sir J. Butcher).

Mr. HURD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the 16th February is some little time ago, and would it not be possible to give some date when this irritating impost will be removed?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I cannot go beyond the answer given by the Leader of the House, but I can assure the hon. Member that the Government is fully alive to the necessity of coming to a decision as quickly as possible.

Mr. STURROCK

Having regard to the very serious effect on employment in the printing trade, will the right hon. Gentleman use such influence as he has with his colleagues to get the postal charges reduced?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I have had a great number of representations to the effect stated by my hon. Friend, but it is only fair to point out that, while the cost of postage has increased 100 per cent., the cost of printing has increased 150 per cent.

Mr. LYLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that you can post 10,000 large catalogues for £1 in Austria to-day, and that it is being done?

Mr. KELLAWAY

Yes, Sir. That is due to the fact that Austrian currency is depreciated. What I said was that the increased cost of postage was not the only or principal cause.