Writing a letter to "The Honourable"

[EtiquetteQuestion]

I need to write a letter to someone who has the title "honourable" before their name - e.g. The Hon. Peter Jones. We do not know each other.

Does anyone know the correct way to address the envelope and the opening/closing salutations? I'd rather err on the side of formality at this stage.

This is what I am thinking:

Address envelope as:

The Hon. Peter Jones
X Street
Y Town
Z Postcode

Opening salutation - Dear Sir (I don't really want to go with Dear Mr Jones, but Dear Sir Jones isn't right either as the person isn't actually a Sir)

Closing salutation - ???

Yours sincerely (but this is usually used when you've started with Dear Mr/Ms X).

Yours faithfully (usually used when you start Dear sir/madam so this works if I start Dear Sir, except that I DO know the name of the person I'm writing to).

Unfortunately, much Googling hasn't helped! If anyone knows the answer (even better if you could point me to a reference which gives the "proper" way of doing this) that would be great.

Check Debrett's debretts.com/membership/ or debretts.com/store/

I had checked Debrett's, but I'd need to subscribe to get the information I need, unfortunately.

My county's library has an old (1990, I think) copy of Debrett's Correct Form, but it's held in the reference section in a library on the other side of the county to where I live.

It says subscription is £4.99 and can be cancelled at any time. Is that a option? (I'd check the small print before doing it, just in case though!). Or alternatively, is there a local library branch that could order the book from the reference library for you? I think sometimes they can do this. Not sure how long it takes though or if you are in a hurrry!

*an option

If he were a 'Sir' you would address him as Sir Peter, not Sir Jones.

Otherwise I think it's acceptable to start the letter Dear Mr Jones if he has no other title.

As it happens I have just received a letter from an Honorable and the headed paper "Hon PeterJones" so I guess that is how you would address the envelope. I would begin Dear Sir
Signed off yours sincerely hope this helps

Otherwise I think it's acceptable to start the letter Dear Mr Jones if he has no other title.

I agree. If his Hon. status is from being the son of a peer, then I am pretty sure it's Dear Mr Jones for the salutation.

Thanks everyone. I went with The Hon. Peter Jones on the envelope, then Dear Mr Jones/ Yours sincerely.