HC Deb 21 August 1945 vol 413 cc452-3
76. Mr. C. S. Taylor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Members of Parliament may, when writing to junior Ministers, Parliamentary Private Secretaries, or other Members of Parliament, be accorded the privilege of free postage.

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir. I do not think that this particular proposal could be justified.

Mr. Taylor

But is there any part of this particular proposal which would commend itself to the right hon. Gentleman?

Mr. Dalton

I did not feel that the correspondence between Members of Parliament was particularly deserving of encouragement in this form, as distinct from correspondence between Members of Parliament and their constituents.

Mr. De la Bère

Why not have free postage for all Members of Parliament? [Hon. Members: "Hear, hear."] Can I have an answer?

Mr. Driberg

Arising out of my right hon. Friend's supplementary reply, is he considering that other matter of franking the mail of Members of Parliament?

Mr. Dalton

I have received so many suggestions on the subject, that I am quite sure that this and other matters must be looked at with a comprehensive study of the whole question, of which this forms only a small part.

Mr. Cocks

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the correspondence of Members writing to junior Ministers has free postage?

Mr. Taylor

Answer.

Mr. De la Bère

I shall keep raising this question again and again.