§ MR. HAZELLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the contract between the Postmaster General and the railway companies runs till the year 1903, and, meanwhile, the present high rates for the carriage of parcels by passenger train cannot be reduced; and, whether this arrangement leaves the Post Office free to send parcels as ordinary merchandise by luggage train; and, if so, whether he can arrange for sending parcels by this method at much lower rates?
§ MR. HANBURYThe arrangement with the railway companies for the conveyance of parcels, which rests upon an Act of Parliament, will remain in force until the year 1904; and, meanwhile, the railway remuneration cannot be revised except in connection with a revision of the Post Office tariff, which Her Majesty's Government do not see their way to adopt. No distinction is drawn in the Act between passenger trains and 1722 luggage trains, and the Post Office is not left free to send parcels as ordinary merchandise by luggage train at lower rates.