§ 31. Dr. Winstanleyasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the effects upon British exporting industries of the abolition of the commercial papers 422 category of mail by the Universal Postal Union in 1964; and if he will seek to reverse this decision at a future meeting of the Union.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Joseph Slater)My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on this point and these will be taken into account when preparations for the next Congress are being made. This will not, however, be until 1969.
§ Dr. WinstanleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that one major exporting firm has put its additional cost of postage on export invoices, bills of lading, and certificates of insurance at £20,000 a year? Would the hon. Gentleman agree that this is not helpful to our exporters, and will he consult his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to whom representations have also been made?
§ Mr. SlaterI appreciate the hon. Gentleman's observations in regard to a particular firm, but, after all, we opposed the change at Congress on the ground that it withdrew a long-standing concession to business users and increased postal costs of international trade. This was our objection, but I must tell the hon. Gentleman that, just as this change applies to our people in this country, so it applies to other countries as well, and therefore it must lie over until the next Congress.