§ Mr. WATTasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to a practice of his Department in Edinburgh of surcharging 1d. each on invoices stamped with ½d. stamps on the ground that these invoices are not lined with ruled lines and have not the words "Bought of" printed on them; if so, will he say whether this surcharge is according to Regulation of his Department; and, if it is, can he see his way to alter it because of the inconvenience which it causes to the mercantile community in view of the extended use in modern days of the typewriting machine, which does not require ruled lines on the paper?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Regulations published at page 11 of the Post Office Guide require that invoices and other formal commercial documents sent by the halfpenny packet post shall consist of appropriate printed forms—that is, forms bearing printed matter clearly indicating the purpose for which they are intended to be used. Having regard to the large number of documents which are admitted at the reduced rate of postage, the requirement referred to is, in my opinion, both reasonable and necessary, and I do not see my way to alter it. A form intended to be used for an invoice would be considered to comply with the Regulations if the words "Bought of" appeared in print at the top. Ruled lines would not be regarded as essential.