§ 21. Dr. Kingasked the Postmaster-General if he will abolish the fine paid by the recipients of unstamped letters by reducing the charge levied on such letters to 2½d.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo, Sir.
§ Dr. KingIn view of the rather concise and somewhat ungracious answer of my right hon. Friend, may I ask whether he is aware that the present imposition of the penalty of an extra charge on the recipient of an unstamped letter is an injustice and that the person who ought to be punished is the person who has committed the offence? Since it is impossible to punish the offender, does not my right hon. Friend think he ought to look into this matter again?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe remedy is in the hands of the recipient. All he has to do is to refuse to take the letter, but so long as he takes the letter I am obliged by Act of Parliament to apply the surcharge.
§ Mr. MellishWhile we are discussing the question of a surcharge, would not it be a good idea to send a bill to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter)?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWhat for?
§ Mr. Arthur LewisIs the Postmaster-General aware that the hon. Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams) sent me a circular which was from some Conservative organization—
§ Mr. SpeakerThat has nothing to do with this Question.