§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Postmaster General what estimate he has made of the extra time and expense involved in post office officials having to keep checks and records of postage stamps of the same monetary value, but of different sizes and designs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonIn our central Supplies Department, the extra time spent last year on special stamp issues was 20,000 hours, the cost being £12,000. It is not possible to put a precise figure to the additional time and expense spent at local post offices in stocking, selling and accounting for special stamps; but I am satisfied that all the extra costs involved are more than covered—indeed, are greatly exceeded—by the revenue from philatelic sales.
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§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Postmaster General if he will reduce the number of new issues of postage stamps.
§ Mr. MasonNo. My policy is to bring out five or six special issues each year. I have good evidence that this is popular and that the issues are widely welcomed both at home and overseas. In addition, the philatelic sales of these special issues attract considerable revenue to the Post Office.