§ 12. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if, in view of the heavy cost of postage on letters up to 2 oz. and the burden which this charge imposes upon the community, he will consider relaxing the Post Office monopoly on the carriage of letters, either by granting licences to appropriate agents to convey letters on a commercial basis or by permitting members of the public to make co-operative arrangements for the conveyance of letters, at least until such time as he is able to restore the 1d. post.
§ Mr. GammansNo, Sir. My noble Friend is not prepared to alter the 300 years old principle of monopoly in the carriage of letters. That principle is accepted in practically every country throughout the civilised world, and on it rests the present system of uniform rates of postage for inland letters irrespective of distance.
My hon. and gallant Friend may be interested to know that our charge for a 2 oz. letter is amongst the lowest in the world. With regard to the 1d. post, I would be misleading him if I led him to suppose that there is hope of its restoration; 176 after all, there are not many services in this country which would like to be asked to put their charges back to what they were at the time of the First World War.
§ Brigadier MedlicottIs the Minister aware that the Question was prompted by certain rumours that there might be an increase in the level of postage, and that his answer will give a considerable measure of reassurance?
§ Mr. ShinwellMay we be allowed to congratulate the Minister of his preference for nationalisation?