HL Deb 19 March 1969 vol 300 cc1013-4WA
THE LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Postmaster-General:—

  1. 1. Will make available for sale to the general public in post offices envelopes embossed with 5d. and 4d. stamps of a size approximately 4½, in. 1014 x 6½ in. or of such size as will contain a quarto sheet folded twice.
  2. 2. Will make available such envelopes or any other envelopes with embossed stamps without the printed material on the back requiring the name and address of the sender.

LORD BOWLES

1. Until mid-1968 an envelope measuring 6⅜ in. by 4½ in. was sold. It was discontinued because of low demand and consequent financial loss; its reintroduction would not be justified.

2. There is no obligation to complete the name and address portion on the back of an envelope, although it is designed to encourage this habit, so that undeliverable letters need not be opened to find the sender's name and address. These could then be returned more quickly and cheaply with the confidential nature of the contents preserved.

House adjourned at thirteen minutes past nine o'clock.