§ MR. MONKasked the Postmaster General, Whether the statement which appeared in the newspapers on Friday last respecting the parcels post was correct?
§ MR. FAWCETTSir, although the paragraph to which my hon. Friend refers is in the main correct, it may be well to explain the exact position in which the matter now stands. The proposed scheme does not, as stated, require to be sanctioned by the Treasury, the sanction of the Treasury having been obtained before the scheme was submitted to the Committee of Railway Managers, by whom it has been unanimously accepted. The decision of this Committee will, I understand, be submitted for confirmation to a meeting of the representatives of the Railway Companies on Wednesday next. The terms as to the proposed division of receipts, as well as weights and charges, are correctly given in the paragraph referred to. If an agreement is arrived at between the Railway Companies and the Post Office, it will be necessary to introduce a Bill, and I hope I shall shortly be able to give Notice of the introduction of this Bill.
§ MR. O'SULLIVANasked if this arrangement extended to Irish railways?
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, that the Irish Railway Companies had acted in conjunction with the English Railway Companies on this matter.