§ 71. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Post-master-General whether, in view of the fact that one of the Dominions has returned to Imperial penny postage and a second is to introduce internal penny postage, he will use every endeavour to bring up the subject of Empire penny postage at the forthcoming Imperial Conference?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI do not doubt that the Dominions share the views of His Majesty's Government that a reversion to penny postage is desirable ac soon as financial conditions admit. But as the financial situation in this country does not at present allow of the sacrifice of revenue which the restoration of penny postage would entail, I do not think there is any occasion for His Majesty's Government to initiate a discussion at the imperial Conference on the subject.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINMay we take it that this subject will be discussed at the Imperial Conference, as it is of great importance to the Empire?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI cannot say, but the fact remains that we cannot afford it here at the present time.
§ Commander O. LOCKER-LAMPSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say what sacrifice of revenue is involved?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have given the figures. The last estimate I gave was, I think, about £5,500,000.