HL Deb 20 March 1969 vol 300 cc1015-6
LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, seeing that a 4 oz. package containing as many as 45 picture postcards can be sent by first-class mail for 5d., they will henceforth provide first-class service for single post-cards each hearing a 4d. stamp.]

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, no. There is little difference between the average costs of handling a card and a letter in an envelope. The 4d. and 5d. rates are based on average costs.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I am obliged for that reply. But did not the post-card get rather a raw deal last September when the rate was put up from 3d. to 4d. and cards were at the same time downgraded from first to second class mail?

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, with the greatest possible respect to the charming and noble Lord, I find that he cannot possibly seem to understand what is going on in the Post Office at the moment—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Oh!

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, I took great pains to explain matters to the House in a long debate for which very few noble Lords cared to turn up. I do not know how many read the debate. I say that the only distinction now is between first-class mail, which is 5d., and second-class mail, which is 4d. In that sense the post-card no longer exists.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, in view of the noble Lord's reluctance to give first-class service for the post-card with a 4d. stamp on it, can be say when the Government intend to ensure that letters with 5d. stamps get first-class service?