§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the Italian Customs Authorities charge duty on articles sent through the parcels post, addressed to passengers on board English Royal Mail ships calling at Naples and Brindisi, but who do not land at these ports; and whether he will make representations to the Italian Government on the subject.
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONAttention has not been specially called to the practice above referred to, but it is in the natural course of things that the Italian Custom Authorities should charge duty onsarticles sent by parcel post addressed to passengers on board English ships calling at Italian ports. Whether the persons to whom such parcels are addressed land or not is beside the question. Their intention could not always be known. Probably such parcels are called for at the post office, and brought on board by a ship's officer or the local agent of the Steamship Company. A dutiable parcel arriving in this country addressed to a passenger on board a ship calling at an English port would be treated in a similar way.
§ MR. COXI would ask the right hon. Gentleman in reference to the Postal Union, as they open parcels having the stamp, whether they also open letters?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThey open parcels and make them pay duty according to the rate of the Customs.
§ MR. COXI would ask the right hon. Gentleman this further question, as this is a matter seriously affecting large numbers of officers on board ships trading in the Mediterranean and Adriatic whether he will make further inquiry. It is a standing grievance with them, and I want to know whether these articles will be liable to duty at the Italian ports if they are sent to Port Said?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONBefore entering into particulars like that I should require to separate that question from the other, and must ask for notice.
§ MR. COXIf the right hon. Gentleman will allow me I will place the information at my disposal in his hands.