HC Deb 09 July 1896 vol 42 cc1105-6
MR. GERALD LODER (Brighton)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, in view of the statement of the Postmaster General in this House, on 28th April, 1893, to the effect that the terms made by the British delegates at the Vienna Postal Congress in 1891 created a bar to the establishment of Imperial Penny Postage, and also in view of the strong feeling existing in Parliament, in commercial circles, in the Press, and among all classes in favour of the reform, he will take care that the British delegates to the Postal Union Congress at Washington, in 1897, shall be categorically instructed to obtain an acknowledgment by the Congress of the absolute right of this country, under the Postal Union Convention, to enter into any agreement with the British Colonies and Dependencies, or such of them as may be willing, to fix such rates of postage as may be agreed upon by them from time to time?

MR. HANBURY

The Postmaster General will, of course, carefully consider, in consultation with the Government, when the time comes, what instructions shall be given to the British delegates to the Postal Union Congress at Washington. There would be no objection on the part of the Postmaster General to an instruction to the delegates to use their best endeavours to obtain such an alteration of the Postal Union Convention as would leave Her Majesty's Government free in the matter referred to.

*MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)

Do I understand that Her Majesty's Government will insist upon full and perfect freedom as to what kind of Postal arrangements they may choose to make within the limits of the Empire?

MR. HANBURY

The Postmaster General, as far as he is concerned, will be willing to have instructions given to the delegates to endeavour to obtain such an alteration as that suggested.

MR. LODER

When will the delegates be appointed?

MR. HANBURY

I cannot say.

MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that precisely the same answer was given before the last Convention, and the result was without effect?

MR. HANBURY

No; I am not aware of that.