Mr. STURROCKasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of widespread inability to understand the existing Regution in regard to the sending of five words of conventional greeting on picture postcards, he can see his way to abolishing this wartime restriction.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Under the Regulations governing the printed paper rate, the inclusion of a conventional phrase in manuscript not exceeding five words in length has been permitted for many years. No new restriction was imposed during the War or subsequently. The printed paper rate is now lower than the postcard rate, and postcards complying with the Printed Paper Regulations can still pass at the lower charge. I regret I cannot establish a rate for picture postcards distinct from the ordinary postcard rate, nor can I abolish the restrictions on the written matter admissible under the Printed Paper Regulations without seriously encroaching upon the revenue derived from the letter post.