§ 55. Sir E. Keelingasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether the Post Office insist on payment by nationalised industries of the surcharge of 5d. due on every letter from a Member of Parliament in an official-paid envelope which they accept.
§ Mr. GammansNo, Sir. All letters posted in "Official Paid" envelopes would normally be treated as fully paid. The onus of deciding whether such envelopes may properly be used for a particular purpose, or to a particular address, rests with the hon. Member concerned.
§ Sir E. KeelingAlthough the Financial Secretary to the Treasury said in this House on 11th June that hon. Members ought not to use these envelopes for letters to nationalised industries, is my hon. Friend aware that the reply which he has just given indicates quite clearly to hon. Members that whether they do or do not the result will be precisely the same—the letters will be delivered without surcharge?
§ Mr. GammansNo, Sir. I think that this is a matter in which we must trust hon. Members of this House.
§ Mr. FernyhoughIs the Minister aware that the reason why many hon. Members communicate direct with the nationalised industries is to save cluttering up the various Ministries with letters which they afterwards have to pass on to the nationalised industries?
§ Mr. GammansYes, we do not mind that. All that we are anxious about is that they put a 2½d. stamp on the letters.