HC Deb 27 June 1951 vol 489 cc1353-4
21. Dr. King

asked 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 Edwards

No, Sir.

Dr. King

In 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 Edwards

The 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. Mellish

While 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-Carpenter

What for?

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Is 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. Speaker

That has nothing to do with this Question.