§ 32. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Postmaster-General whether there is any rule or Regulation in his Department that bill stamps are not to be issued from a post office after four p.m.?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAlthough the normal hours of sale of Inland Revenue and fee stamps at post offices are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which are those during which such stamps are sold at Inland Revenue offices, arrangements are made wherever possible for applications made after 4 p.m. to be dealt with.
§ Sir B. PETOIs the right hon. Gentleman aware mat many important post offices are absolutely precluded from issuing these stamps after 4 p.m.; and is he not aware that it is precisely after 4 p.m. until the time of the posting of the mail that these stamps are required most, because business men cannot ascertain earlier than 4 o'clock the exact denominations they require?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI will reconsider this matter in view of the representations made by the hon. Member. These stamps are fixed in concurrence with the Inland Revenue Department, and the demand for them is comparatively small.
§ Sir B. PETOAre not the stamps always there in the post office, and why should they not be handed out to anyone who wants them?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI will explain the matter to the hon. Member if he will confer with me.