§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Lanark, Govan)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether it is the case that parcels, circulars, and book packets, owing to removals, that have to be re-addressed, are taxed to the extent of the original postage, while re-addressed letters are delivered free; whether, as both the public and Local Authorities have remonstrated against this charge, he will place such packages on the same footing as letters; whether he is aware that in the majority of cases the public refuse to take delivery 1857 of such packages, which have ultimately to be returned free of charge to the senders; and whether he will consider the advisability of relieving the public from this charge?
§ MR. A. MORLEYThe question to which the hon. Member refers was very carefully considered by the late Government, and it was decided not to permit parcels, circulars, and book packets to be re-addressed gratis. I think it would be very undesirable to facilitate the re-addressing and further transmission without charge of what would amount to tons of matter through the post by relieving the addressee of all charges, and I am not prepared to recommend a change in the present practice.