§ Mr. Berryasked the Postmaster-General how many stamp vending machines sell only halfpenny and penny stamps; and what steps he is taking to re-equip these with a wider range of stamps more in keeping with present-day postage costs.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThere are 9,908 machines selling ½d. stamps and 11,782 machines selling 1d. stamps.
We are considering the changes in our machines that will be required on the introduction of decimal currency in 1971. Meanwhile, the existing machines continue to meet essential needs and the cost of modifying them to sell a wider range of stamps would not be justified.