HC Deb 05 August 1943 vol 391 c2484W
Sir J. Mellor

asked the Postmaster-General what classes of correspondence, addressed to what persons and Departments, are private individuals entitled to post unstamped?

Captain Crookshank

The Post Office Act of 1908 provides that all postal packets shall be charged with postage, except petitions and addresses to His Majesty, and addresses to either House of Parliament. Members of the public are therefore not entitled to send letters unpaid to any Department or individual. When, however, a communication from a Government Department requires a reply, it is usual for a cover, label or form to be enclosed, bearing the "Official Paid" design, and the address of the office to which the reply is to be sent. This design indicates that postage will be borne by the Government Department concerned and members of the public using these covers, labels, or forms are not therefore required to pay postage, provided that the address is not altered.