§ MR. KINNAIRDsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether any alteration has been made in the charges or other arrangements of the Inland Book Post; and when the alteration will take place by which an additional penny will be charged for the transit through Egypt of newspapers sent viâ Southampton to India or Australia.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, that no alteration whatever had been made in the arrangements of the Inland Book Post, but curious statements had appeared in the newspapers from time to time to that effect. Most certainly, nothing had been done to restrict the circulation. With reference to the second question of the hon. Gentleman he had to state that the only alteration which was in contemplation would take place on the 1st January next: and it would have no effect on newspapers going through France, because the postage was already deemed sufficient; nor would it have any effect on newspapers sent round the Cape. But, as the Pasha of Egypt had come to the determination to charge a rather higher sum for papers sent through his territory, it would be necessary for the Government to make a corresponding increase of postage.