Note 22 — Chapter XII
Reading edition
Note 22. Page 491.
The privilege of franking letters, so long enjoyed by the members of both Houses of Parliament, has been recently abolished. After the introduction of the penny postage system, the privilege in question was very greatly reduced in value and importance. By statute 3 and 4 Vict. c. 96, § 56, (passed on the 10th August 1840,) "All privileges whatsoever of sending letters by the post free of postage, or at a reduced rate of postage, shall, except in the cases in that act specified, wholly cease and determine."