§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is in contemplation to reduce the charge on letters to India and the East from 5d. per letter to 2½d., the latter amount being charged from France, Germany, and other Continental countries to English Possessions in India, &c.; and, whether it is his intention to give English and Indian correspondents the benefit of the £100,000 saved on the Indian Mail Contract this year?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)I am very glad to see my hon. Friend back to his Parliamentary duties, although he has signalized his re-appearance by giving Notice of a fire of Questions. In answer to this Question, I have to say that it is not in contemplation to reduce the postage on letters to India and the East in the manner suggested in the first part of the hon. Member's Question. The saving referred to in the second part of the Question is not a profit, but merely a reduction in the amount of a heavy loss. I may refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 14th of February last to a similar Question asked by the hon. Member for Oldham (Mr. J. M. Maclean).