HC Deb 01 March 1922 vol 151 cc409-10W
Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the large number of printed circulars of British firms which are now being printed and posted in Germany: what steps he proposes to take in this matter; and whether, in view of the estimated surplus on the postal revenue for the forthcoming year, he proposes to reduce the charge on printed matter to the former ½d. rate?

Mr. PEASE

I would refer the hon. Member to answers given in the House recently to a number of similar questions. The question of a reduction in charges is under the consideration of the Government.

Mr. GWYNNE

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the number of catalogues and circulars of English firms which are sent to Germany to be printed and posted there because it can be done cheaper in that country than here; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the printing trade of this country and prevent the loss of revenue suffered by reason of this practice?

Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLE

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Messrs. Ryder and Sons, seed specialists, of St. Albans, have published a seed catalogue, known as their Little List for 1922, on which a notice is prominently printed that the list has been posted abroad as an active and practical protest against the postal rates at present in force in this country; that this firm spent £11,871 last year with the St. Albans post office, and this year have printed 100,000 more catalogues than last year; and whether, in view of the ill effects on industry generally, and on the printing trade in particular, of the said postal rates, he can indicate when and to what extent they will be reduced?

Mr. PEASE

There is nothing that I can usefully add to the answer I gave yesterday to a question on the same subject which was put to me by the hon. Member for East Grinstead (Mr. Cautley) except to point out that the firm referred to in question No. 5 appeared to have raised their charges to the same extent as the Post Office has raised the postage for letters and printed papers.

Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIES

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the statement by a firm of seed specialists that had they posted and printed their catalogues in Germany they would have saved £12,000; is he aware that the same firm has printed and posted at Leipzig some hundreds of thousands of their lists to people in this country as a protest against the present Post Office regulations; whether such action is seriously injuring printing establishments in this country, as it is being widely adopted by other firms; and is he aware that that action is being taken, not because the cost of printing in Great Britain is too high, but because the cost of posting is prohibitive?

Mr. PEASE

I cannot usefully add anything to the answer to a question on the same subject put to me by the hon. Member for East Grinstead (Mr. Cautley), except to point out that the firm in question appears to have increased their charges to the same extent as the Post Office has raised the cost of postage for letters and printed papers.