§ Mr. MURCHISONasked the Post master-General if he can give the approximate number of trade circulars posted in the United Kingdom in the first three months of 1914 and in the first three months of 1920; did the fact of raising the rates from a halfpenny for two ounces to a halfpenny for one ounce on 3rd June, 1918, cause a reduction in the number of the trade circulars posted; and, if so, what reduction in staff was effected?
§ Mr. PEASESeparate records are not kept of the number of trade circulars as distinct from the number of printed papers generally passing through the post. The number of packets passing at the printed paper rate in 1913–14 is estimated at 1,170,000,000, and in 1920–21 at 1,300,000,000; but in 1913–14 the rate was limited to packets not exceeding 2 ounces, and the figures are not, therefore, strictly comparable.