§ MR. POTTERasked the Postmaster General, Whether, inasmuch as two pence halfpenny is now the uniform rate of postage nearly all over the world with the exception of the British Colonies and dependencies, he is prepared to give our Indian fellow-subjects the advantage enjoyed by so many other nationalities; and, whether he can promise an early reduction of the present high rates between Great Britain and India?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERS, in reply, said, the rate of 2½d. for half an ounce was fixed by the Postal Union in 1874, as the rate between the countries which entered the Union at that time, and they were, for the most part, rates for European countries. Power was given by the Treaty to charge higher rates, in order to cover steam charge, in the case of other countries beyond the sea that might subsequently desire to enter the Union. Under the power thus re- 824 served a total charge of 6d. was imposed on letters for British India and other places, and looking at the very great cost both to the Indian and the Imperial Governments of the mail service to India, he could not hold out any hope that a reduction would be made in that charge.