§ COLONEL MILWARD (Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the rate for the smallest parcel conveyed by parcels post from England to the Continent, viz., for a three pound parcel, is considerably higher than the rate for the largest parcel, viz., an eleven pound parcel, conveyed between France, Germany, Austria, and Italy; whether France and Germany extend favours to each other in this matter which they have not hitherto extended to England; whether the charge of 10d. upon an eleven pound parcel, made by the English railways to the English Post Office, exceeds the whole postal rate from Berlin to Bordeaux, or Cologne to Buda Pesth; and, whether steps can be taken to remedy these disadvantages to English commerce?
§ MR. HANBURYThe total charge on a three pound parcel sent from England to Germany is higher than the charge on an eleven pound parcel exchanged between France and Germany, or Germany and Austria. It is the same as the charge on an eleven pound parcel from France to Austria, and it is lower than the charge on such a parcel from Germany to Italy, which is 1s. 5d., and a delivery charge of 3½d. I am not aware that France and Germany make more favourable arrangements with each other than they do with this country. The total charge on a parcel from Berlin to Bordeaux is 1s. 1d., and from Cologne to Buda Pesth 8½d., including delivery 746 in both cases. As I have already explained to the hon. Member, the disadvantages to which he refers are due to the geographical position of this country, which involves a charge for sea postage on parcels exchanged with the Continent, and to the statutory payments which have to be made to the railway companies on parcels conveyed within the country.