§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Postmaster General when the privilege of posting express letters in letter-boxes in Piccadilly and elsewhere in London will be brought into operation; and whether a special stamp will be required?
§ MR. A. MORLEYExpress letters, which are intended for transmission in the first instance by the ordinary post, may be posted in any letter-box in Piccadilly, or elsewhere, as the hon. Member will find on consulting' the Post Office Guide or Post Office Hand-Book. This has always been the rule. The letters must be properly marked for express delivery, as required by the Rules, but no special stamp is required.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONasked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that in the Post Office Guide, page 229, it was distinctly laid down that
every express letter for inland delivery must be handed in over the counter. In no case must it be posted in a letter-box"?
§ MR. A. MORLEYAll express letters can be posted in a pillar-box.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONThere is a paragraph in the Annual Report of the Department that a letter for Buenos Ayres may be posted in a letter-box in Piccadilly, and will be sent by the first service to that country. Is that so? Why not give the Metropolis the same advantages as Buenos Ayres?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI do not think there is anything inconsistent between that statement and the Regulation in the Postal Guide. If a letter is intended for transmission in the first instance by the ordinary post it may be posted anywhere.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONDid I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that an express letter may be posted in any pillar-box in Piccadilly for any part of London or for Manchester to be delivered by express messenger?
§ MR. A. MORLEYYes.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Postmasters deny that?
§ [No answer was given.]