Does anyone have a subscription to Debrett's and could check something for me please?

[EtiquetteQuestion]

I need to write a letter to someone with the title "The Honourable" (e.g. The Hon Peter Jones) and need to get the form of address correct (addressing the envelope, opening and closing salutations).

I looked at Debrett's online, but I'd need to subscribe to get the information I need. I wondered if anyone has a subscription, could they kindly look it up for me, please?

Envelope - The Hon Peter Jones,
Letter - Dear Peter or Dear Mr Jones depending on whether you know him or not
Closing - yours (if addressed letter to Dear Peter) or yours sincerely (if used Mr Jones)

You could do envelope The Hon. Peter Jones Esq.
This is more correct but seen as a bit old fashioned.

Thanks @Delphigirl.

I should have said in my opening post that we don't know each other and I'd like to err on the side of formality.

@Delphigirl - is the information you've put here from Debrett's?

I was wondering about starting the letter Dear Sir, but then wasn't sure how to close it. Yours faithfully is usually used with Dear Sir/Madam, i.e. you don't know the name of the person you are writing to, but in this case I do know the name of the person.

I'm a bit reluctant to go with Dear Mr Jones as it seems a bit too informal for an "Honourable" person who I don't know...

Use Mr in the letter as you know his name. You only use Sir or Madam if you don’t know who you are writing to.

Just use their name? Forget about the honourable.

Is this an MP or a member of the aristocracy?

It’s from me not Debretts. I have a number of these lurking in family and friends. Use Dear Mr Jones for someone you don’t know, but know their name. Finish yours sincerely. Envelope : The Hon. Mr Peter Jones, Esq. to be very correct. That’s it.

The Hon is just a courtesy. You never use it in conversation. It doesn’t mean he has any status worth mentioning himself, it just means his dad is a baronet or a life peer etc. treat him like anyone else.

If it is an MP or anyone else with a postnomial you should use it. The Hon. Peter Jones, MP or The Hon. Peter Jones, QC or CBE or whatever.

they need their po

@Delphigirl, this is really helpful - thank you.

@Antarcticant

Is this an MP or a member of the aristocracy?

@Antarcticant - I've messaged you.

I've replied - hope it gives you the info you need.

@Delphigirl

It’s from me not Debretts. I have a number of these lurking in family and friends. Use Dear Mr Jones for someone you don’t know, but know their name. Finish yours sincerely. Envelope : The Hon. Mr Peter Jones, Esq. to be very correct. That’s it.

The Hon is just a courtesy. You never use it in conversation. It doesn’t mean he has any status worth mentioning himself, it just means his dad is a baronet or a life peer etc. treat him like anyone else.

Yes I know a few of these and this is correct. I also used to be a secretary for a Lord so I know my stuff

A work colleague once said their sister was a countess. I replied "what a coincidence, my brother is a Count...... Count Dracula"