§ Mr. Granvilleasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that letters written on 13th and 24th June by his Department to a lady in Stowmarket, Suffolk, whose name has been sent to him, suggested that, in order to compensate for an apparent infringement of Post Office regulations, she should pay the sum of 10s. as a compromise penalty; and on what authority this summary action was taken.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingYes, as I have explained in reply to the hon. Member's letter. Section 35 of the Inland Revenue Regulations Act, 1890, empowered the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to mitigate or compound any fine or penalty incurred in cases where stamps which have previously been used in payment of postage are affixed to a postal packet with intent that the stamp may be used again. These powers were vested in the Postmaster-General by the Inland Revenue and Post Office (Powers and Duties) Order, 1914.