asked the Postmaster-General whether, in any future-contracts to carry mails between Great Britain and our Dominions, the British Government will always be a party to. such contracts and have a clause inserted so that it may be possible in future for British subjects, travelling on British lines carrying British mails, to purchase British postage stamps during either the outward or homeward journey?

I am afraid I am not in a position to give any undertaking in the sense which the right hon. Member desires.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is very degrading for British subjects on a British steamer not to be able to purchase British postage stamps?

There is no steamer on which a British subject cannot purchase stamps, but there are certain steamers on which letters have to be sent with the stamp of the country making the contract.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that on the Union Castle line to South Africa, you cannot purchase a British stamp?

Is not the stamp of a Dominion of the Crown a British stamp? Is it degrading to use the stamp of a British Dominion or Colony?