§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the Government is aware that a Parcel Post Convention has been concluded between Japan and Germany, coming into operation on 1st January, 1895; and, whether a similar Convention has been entered into between the United Kingdom and Japan; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI will ask leave to answer at the same time a question to the same effect, of which notice has been given for Monday by the hon. and gallant Member for the Epping Division of Essex.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Epping)I beg to ask the Postmaster General, with reference to the recent notification of a Parcel Post to Japan by German steamers, viâ Hamburg, whether it would be possible to make similar arrangements in connection with the Peninsular and Oriental Company, which carries mails under contract to China, and maintains independent regular communication between Hong Kong and Japan, in connection with the China Service, so as to give shippers the advantage of sending parcels direct from London instead of viâ Germany?
§ MR. A. MORLEYThe answer to the first question is "Yes;" and I may add that I promptly made arrangements for the conveyance of parcels from this country to Japan, viâ Germany, issuing more than a week ago public notices on the subject, which the hon. Member has doubtless seen. Proposals for an Anglo-Japanese Convention were made to the Japanese Government in 1885, and have since been repeatedly renewed. There is reason to hope that the Japanese Government, which is solely responsible for the delay, may accept the proposals before long.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONasked if it was a fact that parcels for Japan from England were sent to Germany, and came back to England on the German steamers on their way to Japan, this being a port of call?
§ MR. A. MORLEYYes, Sir.