§ 51. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Postmaster-General if he will make an investigation into the question of the transit of books by inland post with a view to reducing, if possible, the present heavy postal charges, particularly on single copies.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonSingle copies of books in the post normally go by the printed paper service. I will keep in mind my hon. Friend's point in any future review of that service, but I can hold out no hope at present of any reduction in the postal charges for books.
§ Dr. JohnsonWhilst thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him if he is aware that this single copy book post is the lifeline of literature and culture in this country? Secondly, is he aware that the book trade look with both envy and admiration at what his right hon. Friend has done for telephone subscribers and are very anxious indeed that he should do something similar in their case?
§ Mr. ThompsonYes, Sir, we will bear the interests of those concerned in this matter very much in mind in any future review of the position.
§ Mr. C. R. HobsonWill the hon. Gentleman look into the matter of the application of his own Postmaster-General's regulations dealing with the practice, which has now become common, of posting books abroad to Britain in order to avoid the increased postal charges?
§ Mr. ThompsonWe have had no great trouble over that situation up to now. It arises from special circumstances in one or more foreign countries and, if difficulties should arise, we know how to deal with them.
§ Mr. WadeDoes the Minister agree that, in view of the special rates for postage of books abroad, it would be desirable to apply a similar principle to the transit of books in this country?
§ Mr. ThompsonWe bear all these considerations in mind, but we have to strike a point at which our services pay for themselves without incurring too much of a loss to be borne by other users of the post.