§ Sir W. SEAGERasked the Postmaster-General whether the result of the increase in postage rates recently announced will be to interfere with the distribution of trade and technical journals published in this country, and which are widely circulated throughout the world as a means of advertising and pushing the sale of our goods in foreign parts; and will he consider the granting of favoured terms for postage between this country and other parts of the world, so that in these critical times British trade is not further handicapped by the imposition of increased postage rates in respect of trade and technical publications abroad?
§ Mr. MURCHISONasked the Post-master-General whether many of the large export houses will be obliged, if the proposed increased rates come into force, to send their printed matter in bulk to Paris or other foreign towns for distribution; and whether the resultant loss in stamp revenue to this country may reach £70,000 to £100,000 a year on printed matter at present posted in London?
§ Mr. PEASEIn reply to these questions, my right hon. Friend proposes to deal with this subject in the course of the Debate this afternoon.
§ Mr. HURDasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the in- 2080W creased postal rates will fall with special severity upon such thrift associations as the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, a large part of the business of whose 600,000 members is conducted through the post, necessitating in 1920 nearly 6,000,000 postal communications to and from members; and whether he will reconsider this part of his proposals?
§ Mr. PEASEI regret that the expenses of thrift associations should be increased, but it is impossible to exempt articles sent by particular interests from the ordinary rates of postage payable by the public at large. As regards approved societies, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health" to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. T. Davies) on the 6th June.