§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will improve the bargain offered to those who avail themselves of stamp cards to pay by instalments in advance for vehicle licence duty, TV licences and telephone bills without interest or discount for prepayment without compensation in the event of loss, theft or destruction by fire and without cash refunds for stamps purchased in excess of the amount due to be paid.
§ Viscount TrenchardNo, my Lords. Although the departments concerned with TV licences and vehicle licence duty are credited with income from the sale of stamps in advance of the normal time for payment of the bill in full, the provision of this service involves additional costs both for Post Office counter services for the supply of stamps and for administering the schemes. These costs to a very large extent offset (and sometimes exceed) the benefit derived from the earlier receipt of income. The terms on which tele-746WA phone stamps are issued are a matter for British Telecommunications, but I understand that the same considerations apply.