asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to an advertisement posted in Italy of a book published by George Allen and Unwin, Limited, of Museum Street, London, and will he state whether any advantage which British firms gain by posting advertisements abroad is or is not gained at the expense of the taxpayers of this country?

The posting of circulars abroad, in order to evade the payment of postage in this country, results in a loss of revenue to the British Post Office, and is, therefore, an advantage gained by the parties concerned at the expense of the taxpayers in this country. As I recently stated in reply to a question put by the hon. Member for Manchester (Exchange Division), I shall, if necessary, consider what effective steps can be taken to prevent the abuse.