§ MR. BAIRD (Glasgow, Central)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether it is the case that the United Kingdom is the only country in the Postal Union in which liquids are not permitted to be sent in glass bottles by sample post; whether the object of the regulation is to secure the safety of the contents of the mail bags; and whether that safety would be secured by forbidding liquids to be sent by sample post unless the bottles are enclosed in cases sanctioned by the Post Office?
§ *MR. RAIKESIt is not the case that the United Kingdom is the only country in the Postal Union in which liquids are not permitted to be sent in glass bottles by sample post. The object of the regulation is, as my hon. Friend supposes, to secure the safety of the contents of the mail bags. That safety cannot be secured in the way suggested, because it is not possible to make up bottles of liquid in such a manner as to meet the two opposing essentials of absolute safety and perfect facility of examination. I think I had the pleasure of explaining this matter to my hon. Friend very fully by letter on the 13th of May.