HC Deb 11 November 1930 vol 244 cc1509-10W
Mr. HANNON

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that business firms frequently circularise the public by post enclosing stamped cards for reply, only a proportion of which are used; and will he consider the introduction of a system similar to that now operating in America, known as business-reply cards, under which the firm sending out the circulars does not stamp the reply cards but undertakes to pay double postage on such cards as are actually used, in order to promote such use of the post for circularising customers?

Mr. LEES-SMITH

The posting of unpaid packets is open to objection as tend- ing to interfere with the prompt handling of prepaid packets, but if I were satisfied that any substantial public demand existed for business reply postcards I would consider the possibility of meeting it. I doubt, however, whether any considerable number of advertising firms would be ready to pay the double postage which would be entailed.