§ MR. J. G. TALBOTasked the Postmaster General, Whether he could see his way to relaxing the new Regulations, under which rural letter carriers are prohibited from carrying small parcels (not sent by post), the easy transmission of which has been a great convenience to the poorer classes; and, whether his attention has been called to the heavy loads of Post parcels which have to be carried by foot messengers from Railway Stations to Post Offices, in consequence of the promised hand trucks not having been received?
§ MR. FAWCETTI think, Sir, it will be admitted that it would not be expedient to allow rural letter carriers to carry small parcels, which would directly compete with those they are employed to carry for the Post Office. I am aware that there are many complaints that the poor in rural districts 745 may be subjected to inconvenience if the letter carriers are not allowed to carry for them, as they were allowed to do before the introduction of the Parcel Post, small packets of medicine. The question is now being carefully considered, and I shall be very glad if I can see my way to make an exception in the case of small packets of medicine. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, I can assure him that if he will inform me of any case in which foot messengers have been overburdened in consequence of the absence of hand trucks the matter shall be immediately attended to.