§ Mr. Joplingasked the Postmaster-General (1) what steps he intends to take to assist those people who live in rural areas, where the only method of obtaining newspapers is by post, with the increased postal charges, as their newspapers will in future cost them 9d. or 10d.;
(2) whether he is aware of the effect that the new postal charges will have on country newspapers, in view of the fact that in some cases a substantial part of the circulation is sent by post; and what steps he intends to take to assist them.
§ Mr. BennThe inland newspaper service is running at a heavy loss which, even with the increased charges, will not be entirely eliminated. While I sympathise with people living in country districts who will have to pay more for their newspapers, I should not be justified in reducing the postage rates in favour of one particular class of user. I ought to add that registered newspapers will be due to receive the same treatment as first-class letters even though after the tariff increase they will be chargeable at the same rate as printed papers.