HC Deb 22 July 1953 vol 518 cc372-3
40. Sir E. Keeling

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General to what proportion of understamped letters for abroad bearing on the cover the name and address of the sender, the Post Office now affixes the necessary extra stamps; and to what extent the sender sends the cost of these on application.

Mr. Gammans

Precise information is not available, but it is estimated that the Post Office is adding extra stamps to over one third of the underpaid letters for European and other destinations to which my hon. Friend refers. Over 90 per cent. of the senders refund the cost of the stamps affixed on their behalf.

Sir E. Keeling

Would my hon. Friend consider drawing the attention of chambers of commerce to the advantages of this system to business firms with careless office boys, and would he suggest to them that all firms should print their name and address on the cover—a practice which has other advantages?

Mr. Gammans

It would be a great advantage from the Post Office point of view if everybody put their name on the cover of the envelope. There has been a considerable propaganda campaign, and I should be grateful for any help that chambers of commerce or other trading bodies can give us.