§ 21. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Postmaster-General whether in the exercise of his powers under Section 11 of the 1069 Post Office Act, 1953, he will instruct his Department to refuse to deliver postcards issued by a debt-collecting agency in Cardiff, the name of which has been sent to him, in view of the fact that these are libellous in character.
§ Miss PikeThe Post Office is not in a position to decide whether or not the words on the cards in question are libellous: and my right hon. Friend cannot agree to do as the hon. Member asks.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that the writing of postcards, of which I think I sent her Department a copy, sent by the Cardiff Department Retail Bureau Ltd. is causing offence to the postmen who have to hand them over to the people and that it is a thoroughly offensive business for postmen to have to act as debt collectors under these conditions? Will her Department look again at this offensive custom which some business firms are using, for they are relying on the Post Office to do their work?
§ Miss PikeI can assure the hon. Member that we will watch this matter very carefully but, at the moment, we do not feel able to do anything more definite about it.