HC Deb 26 April 1961 vol 639 c393
7. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Postmaster-General if he has given consideration to providing concessionary postal rates for the use of religious and bona fide charitable organisations; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Pike

My right hon. Friend has considered this matter very carefully, but, much as he sympathises with the aims of the organisations which the hon. Member mentions, he is sorry that he cannot provide concessionary postal rates for them.

Mr. Dempsey

When the Minister arrived at this decision, did he take into consideration the fact that these are non-profit-making undertakings? Did he consider that other European countries provide such concessionary postal rates for similar organisations in those parts of Europe?

Miss Pike

I assure the hon. Member that all these considerations were looked at by my right hon. Friend. The difficulty is that there are many non-profit-making organisations, scientific, educational and social, and it would be very difficult to know where to drew the line.