HC Deb 12 November 1975 vol 899 cc782-4W
Mr. John Page

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what were the prices charged for sending postcards, first- and second-class letters, Christmas cards, telegrams, and parcels in each of the years 1963, 1969, 1973, 1974, and 1975.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

Following is the information:

Price at
Service (Inland only) 1st January 1963 1st January 1969 1st January 1973 1st January 1974 1st January 1975 1st November 1975
Postcards(1) 2½d. 4d. 2½p 3p 3½P 6½p
First-class letters (lowest weight step)(2)* 3d. 5d. 3p 3½p 4½p 8½p
Second-class letters (lowest weight step)(2)* −(3) 4d. 2½P 3p 3½P 6½p
Christmas cards(1) 2½d. (4) 4d. 2½p 3p 3½p 6½p
Telegrams 3s.0d.up to 12 words; 3d. per extra word. 5s.0d.up to 12 words; 5d. per extra word. 5s.0d.up to 12 words; 5d. per extra word. 40p up to 10 words; 4p per extra word. 60p up to 10 words; 5p per extra word. 70p up to 10 words; 7p per extra word.
Parcels (lowest weight step)(5) 2s.0d. 2s.6d. 16p 20p 23p 48p

NOTES:

  1. (1) Postcards and greetings cards may also be posted at the first-class letter rate if premium service is desired.
  2. (2) The lowest weight step extended to items up to 1 oz. on 1st January 1963; to 4 oz. on 1st January 1969; to 2 oz. on 1st January 1973, 1st January 1974 and 1st January 1975; and to 60 grammes on 1st November 1975.
  3. (3) The equivalent rate was available only to items which met the restrictive conditions applied to the printed paper service, and this excluded letters
  4. (4) This rate applied only to greetings cards containing restricted messages and posted in unsealed envelopes.
  5. (5) The lowest weight step extended to items up to 1½ lbs. on 1st January 1963, 1st January 1969, 1st January 1973, 1st January 1974; up to 2 lbs. on 1st January 1975, and up to 1 kilogramme on 1st November 1975.

* Two-tier system introduced in September 1968.

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