§ MR. KING (Hull, Central)asked the Postmaster General, Whether, in view of the fact that, as lately stated by him, the price of postage of letters to India and China is only charged at the rate of 1½d. per half ounce to the Governments of France, Belgium, and Germany, whilst the price to British merchants is as high as 5d. per half ounce; any steps are being, or will be, taken to abolish this anomaly, and to reduce 711 the rate to India and China to 2½d. per half ounce?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)The low sea rate charged to foreign countries for letters carried by British Mail Packets to India and China is fixed by the Postal Union Convention; and, as a matter of reciprocity, this country has the right to send letters, on equal terms, to parts beyond sea by foreign steamers so far as they are available. The hon. Member is, perhaps, not aware that the sea conveyance is only part of the cost incurred by this country in sending letters to India and China. There is besides a foreign transit rate for the accelerated train service through France and Italy, amounting to another 1½d. per half ounce; a charge which is not incurred by either France or Italy for their own letters. The question of reducing the British postage from 5d. to 2½d. is one for the consideration of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.