LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what, having regard to the letter in The Times on October 16, headed "Reliable Postmarks" and other examples not made public in the Press, are the present regulations about the affixing of postmarks at the office of origin how strictly they are enforced, and to what extent the public can rely on them.]
§ LORD BOWLESMy Lords, there is no Statutory Regulation about the affixing of postmarks, but those affixed by the Post Office can be relied on to show the date when letters are collected from posting boxes. I understand that the writer of the letter referred to by the noble Lord later vindicated the Post Office and wrote again, but The Times newspaper refused to publish this second letter. My right honourable friend the Postmaster General will be glad to look into any instance of alleged incorrect date stamping if the noble Lord will let me have details.