HC Deb 14 May 1896 vol 40 cc1327-8
MR. W. F. D. SMITH (Strand, Westminster)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, with reference to an insured parcel posted by Mr. Samuel Henson from the Vigo Street Post Office on 25th January last, and addressed to Mr. H. S. Sanders Clark, 2 Villas Bell Rive, Mentone, whether he is aware that this parcel was lost in transit, that no trace of it has been found, and that the French Post Office have given no information as to any steps taken for its recovery; and, can he state how long a time, under the rule for the insurance of parcels, is allowed to elapse before a parcel is deemed to be lost; and when, in the present case, the amount for which this parcel was insured is likely to be paid?

* MR. HANBURY

The parcel referred to by the hon. Member was at first, on January 31st, reported to be lost, but Mr. Henson subsequently, on February 3rd, explained that the parcel was not lost, but that a gold pin which it should have contained was missing when it was opened after delivery in France. The time taken to settle a claim of this kind depends, of course, on the inquiries which have to be made both in this country and in the foreign country or countries concerned. The only stipulation in the Parcel Post Convention with France which bears on the length of time to be taken in inquiries is one which provides that— The payment of the indemnity ought to take place as soon as possible, and at the latest within a year of the date of the application. In the present case Mr. Henson's first complaint was made on the 31st January, and on the same day the French Post Office, which had taken over the parcel without challenge, was written to, but it was not till the 11th instant that a reply was received stating that after due investigation the French authorities had decided not to accept liability on the ground that the addressee signed a receipt and accepted the parcel without remark, and the delivering facteur was not present when it was opened, as the well-known Regulations require.