§ MR. SALTasked the Postmaster General, Whether the proceeds derived from the Parcel Post is such as to justify an expectation that no diminution of the surplus Post Office Revenue will appear in the Estimates of the present year?
§ MR. FAWCETTBefore the Parcel Post was introduced it was estimated that the number of parcels that would be carried in a year would be 27,000,000. This estimate has not been reached, as the number we are now carrying is at the rate of about 20,000,000 a-year. The average weight of each parcel carried, and, consequently, the postage on each parcel carried, is less than was anticipated; and, in consequence of these circumstances, the Revenue has not yet come up to our estimates. As there is nearly another month in the present financial year, and as the Estimates of the Postal Revenue of the next financial year have not yet been made, I am not in a position to give a precise answer to the Question of the hon. Member. I think, however, there will not be any material falling off in the surplus Postal Revenue. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer intends, I understand, to refer to the subject in considerable detail in his Budget Speech, and I think we shall then be in a better position to give definite information to the House.