§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee how many official paid post cards to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a communication have been printed with an air mail marking; what was the cost; for what reasons it was necessary to produce them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael J. Martin[holding answer 7 February 1995]In 1991, the House of Commons Services Committee gave approval in principle for the free provision of telephone calls and postal services to the main institutions of the European Community and the offices of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western Europe Union. These proposals were approved subsequently by the Commission, and a range of stationery for use by Members in correspondence to approved official destinations in Europe was subsequently made available. I have asked the Serjeant at Arms to write to the hon. Member about the cost of the postcards.