HC Deb 22 July 1872 vol 212 c1517
MR. SEELY

asked the Postmaster General, Whether Her Majesty's Government have made any communication to the Government of the United States, with the view of carrying out the Resolution of this House of the 2nd May 1871, relative to a reduction of the rates of postage between the two countries; and, if so, with what result?

MR. MONSELL

said, he had last year an interview with General Schenck, in accordance with a Resolution passed by the House, and expressed a desire that so far as it might be done without imposing a new charge on the public Revenues, reductions should be made in the postage rates between the two countries. General Schenck had since communicated with his Government on the subject, and had informed him that the inland letter postage of the United States still continued to be three cents, and that so long as it remained at that rate it would be impossible for America to agree to a penny postage between the two countries.

MR. SEELY

asked if the possibility of reducing the postage from 3d. to 1½d. had been considered?

MR. MONSELL

said, that that was the only communication which he had received from General Schenck.