asked the Lord President of the Council what was the total cost of prepaid envelopes used by Members of Parliament during 1975; and whether he will now reconsider the provision of second-class prepaid envelopes in addition to first-class envelopes.

The total amount payable to the Post Office in the calendar year 1975 for the cost of prepaid stationery used by the House of Commons is £239,965. The House is charged for postage the same unitary rate applied by the Post Office to Government use of the postal service which assumes that 27 per cent. of mail goes first class. However, the question of the provision of second-class prepaid envelopes is under consideration by the House of Commons (Service) Committee.