§ MR. STUART-WORTLEYasked the Postmaster General, Whether a Circular has been issued to mail carriers, forbidding them to carry after the 2nd of July next any parcels not exceeding seven younds in weight, otherwise than as part of Her Majesty's mails; and, whether he is aware that the effect of this prohibition will be seriously to cripple the early delivery of newspapers in rural districts; and, if so, whether he will kindly consider the possibility of withdrawing or modifying this Circular?
§ MR. PICKERING PHIPPSasked the Postmaster General, Whether the drivers of Mail carts, although prohibited from taking passengers, have been allowed by the Post Office authorities to carry parcels, and have done so to a large extent for the newspaper press; whether, as the new rate for parcels post delivery of newspapers will be much greater than the sums hitherto paid to the drivers of Mail carts, it will be possible to charge the newspaper press, as regular and wholesale customers, a lower rate; whether it is the fact that Railway Companies carry newspaper parcels at half their ordinary parcel rates; and, whether the Government Telegraph Department charges the press a much less sum for telegrams than is charged for private telegrams, without injury to the Telegraph Department and with great advantage to the public?
§ MR. FAWCETTI think, Sir, it will be convenient if I answer the Question of the hon. Member (Mr. Stuart-Wortley) and that of the hon. Member for South Northamptonshire (Mr. P. Phipps) at the same time. I believe it will be admitted that it would not be expedient to allow mail contractors to carry parcels which would compete with the parcels to be carried by parcels post; and, in my opinion, it would be very undesirable for the Post Office to depart, as suggested, from the principle of uniformity of charge, and allow parcels of newspapers to be carried at a lower rate of postage than other parcels. I should, however, so much regret that the introduction of the parcels post should in any way interfere with the cheap and early circulation of newspapers in the rural districts, that I will consider whether any arrangements can be made for allowing contractors to continue to carry parcels of newspapers so long as the carrying of these parcels in no way interferes with the delivery of the parcel and letter mails.