§ Mr. Lomasasked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet consulted with the stationery trade about the implementation of his policy for achieving envelope standardisation; when this scheme will come into effect; how it will work; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennYes. In order to get the best results from our new postal machines I have decided that non-standard envelopes, when used for items not more than 2 oz. in weight, shall become liable to a charge appropriate to the next weight step as from the 1st July, 1968. This will give manufacturers and users generally three years in which to adjust themselves to the new requirements and to run down stocks of non-standard envelopes. These arrangements will apply to all inland letters and printed papers within the first weight step of the appropriate postage rate scale and posted in non-standard envelopes.
In accordance with international agreement, standard envelopes will be oblong in shape, of a width not less than 3½ inches or more than 4¾ inches and of a length not less than 5½ inches or more than 9¼ inches, and with the longer edge at least 1.414 times the shorter. All unenveloped folders, and other unenveloped matter except cards, and all items in envelopes with open cut-out address panels, which are within the first weight step of the appropriate postage rate scale, will be regarded as non-standard items.
At the same time the minimum size for postcard rate purposes, which is at present 2¾ inches by 4 inches, will be raised to 3½ inches by 5½ inches. The present maximum size of 4⅛ inches by 5⅞ inches will remain. Intermediate sizes must conform to the length/width relationship of not less than 1.414 referred to above. If 84W these conditions are not fulfilled the card will be treated as a letter, or as a printed paper if admissible at that rate, and as if it had been posted in an envelope of the same dimensions.
I am glad to say that with a view to facilitating the easy recognition of standard envelopes, manufacturers in this country—whose co-operation I gratefully acknowledge—have agreed to consider a proposal to mark the wrappers of bundles of envelopes, or the boxes, with a symbol indicating that the contents are of G.P.O. approved standard. This should be of help not only at home but also in the export field. I hope too that British exports of envelopes will be helped by the large-scale rationalisation of the home market produced by envelope standardisation.