§ COMMANDER BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is the case that the Chilian Government have recently refused to allow letters to be sent to the British Squadron serving in Chilian waters in any other way than through the post office; and, if so, whether he will be able to arrange any plan by which the seamen and marines can continue to send and receive their letters for 1d., in accordance with the privilege that has been granted to them for many years in all parts of the world?
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAKIES) (Cambridge University)I am not aware that the Chilian Government has recently refused to allow letters to be sent to the British Squadron in Chilian waters in any other way than through the Post Office. That Government has certainly within the last few months raised objections to the delivery of bags containing homeward letters direct from Her Majesty's ships in Chilian waters to mail packets proceeding to England; but I have been in communication with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the subject, and I have no reason to suppose that the diplomatic steps taken in the matter will fail to secure the maintenance of the privilege.