§ MR. J. B. SMITHsaid, he would beg to ask the Postmaster General, Whether, with the view to prevent the existing losses on our postal transactions with 1358 France and other Countries, the time is not arrived to carry out the recommendation of the Standard Commissioners to adopt the French gram as the postal weight both for English and Foreign letters, before the contemplated postal changes are adopted for the carrying of letters, newspapers, and parcels in this Country?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, in reply, that it was not intended at present to take any steps to carry out the recommendation of the Standard Commissioners that we should adopt it, and, although there was a small loss in our postal transactions with France, it was balanced under the Convention by a favourable rate of exchange, which gave us an advantage in excess of our loss.