§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether a Parcels Post Convention between Germany and Japan came into operation on the 1st January 1895; whether a British parcel addressed to Japan must at present be conveyed by this service (first going to Hamburg, and then being shipped back again through the English Channel) with a minimum charge of 5s.; whether the charge for a parcel to various parts of China, sent by British steamships and carried viâ Hong Kong, is 10d. only; and whether, now that peace has been concluded between China and Japan, and a British line of steamships connects Canada with Japan, he will endeavour to establish a cheap and rapid parcel and pattern postal service to Yokohama, viâ the Canadian Pacific Railway and steamship service?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYThe minimum charge at present for a parcel is 5s. to Japan and 10d. to China, as stated in the question, though I should add that in the one case the charge covers a weight of three pounds, while in the other of one pound only. The negociations with the Japanese Government are proceeding satisfactorily, but it is not yet possible to say what route will prove to be the best for the proposed Parcel Post. I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave on the same subject on the 7th June 1894, and on the 15th of February last.