§ 15. Mr. DAYasked the Postmaster-General the number of machines used for the obliteration of postage stamps that are used by the Post Office; and can he state the number which are made by Norwegian and/or American firms?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe total number of stamp-obliterating machines in use by the Department, including a small number on order, is 636. Of this number, 301 were manufactured by a Norwegian firm, and the remainder by American firms.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONNo; that is the reason why no British machines are ordered. In spite of repeated efforts that I have made to interest British firms in this branch of work, through the Federation of British Industries, no British machines so far have been forthcoming.
§ Mr. THURTLEWhat is the matter with private enterprise?