ADMIRAL FIELDI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the Report on St. Helena, No. 63, 1891, by the Governor, and the postal charges therein complained of; and whether he will consider the desirability of relieving these people of the present rates of 6d. per ½ oz. on letters to the United Kingdom, with still higher rates to other parts of the world, and notably 1s. 2d. per ½ oz. on letters to Mauritius, together with other postal grievances to which attention has been called in the said Report?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.My attention has been called to the Report of the Governor of St. Helena. The policy of the Post Office has been to allow the Colonial Postal Authorities to fix their own postal rates on homeward correspondence; and when the letter postage from this country to places abroad (including St. Helena) was reduced to 2½d. the ½ oz. the Colonies were left free to maintain or to lower their previously existing rates. St. Helena elected to maintain the high rates mentioned in the question, and I should not feel justified in putting pressure upon the Colonial Authorities, or in proposing a considerable subsidy to the Colonial Post Office, in order to induce them to lower the rates.
ADMIRAL FIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman send a copy of that answer to the Governor who has made this very strong Report, so that he may know where the fault rests?
§ MR. A. MORLEYThat is rather a matter for the Colonial Office.