§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)asked the Postmaster General, Whether the monopoly, in virtue of which he has directed Railway Companies to discontinue the conveyance of letters "per rail," was conferred upon the holder of his office prior to the introduction of the penny postal service; whether any further powers have been conferred in this respect upon the Postmaster General during the past half century; whether any of his Predecessors in Office have ever interfered with the practice of sending letters needing expedition by rail; and, whether, pending the inquiry by a Departmental Committee, he would allow the practice to be continued?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)The monopoly referred to by the hon. Member was conferred upon the Postmaster General long prior to the introduction of penny postage, and has been continued by various Statutes up to the present time. There has been no extension of the Postmaster General's powers in this respect since the Post Office Acts of the first year of Her Majesty's Reign. Representations have been made from time to time by successive Postmasters General to various carrying agencies as to the illegal carriage of letters. For my own part, I will say that, while every effort shall be made to effect an arrangement which shall be convenient to the public, and at the same time legal, I have not the power to sanction the revival of a practice which the law forbids.