§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, will he explain why the rate of postage on a parcel sent from Malta to Gibraltar is 7d. per pound, so that a parcel weighing five pounds would be charged 2s. 11d., whereas a parcel weighing five pounds can be sent from Malta, past Gibraltar, to Edinburgh, Dublin, or elsewhere in the United Kingdom (or vice versa, from the United Kingdom to Malta) at a charge of 2s., namely 8d. for the first and 4d. for each additional pound; and, whether he will use his influence to secure a reduction of the rate from Malta to Gibraltar to that from Malta to the United Kingdom?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General does not know the reasons of the Government of Malta for maintaining the scale mentioned. He will, however, make inquiry on the subject; but until he knows what the views of the Colonial Government are, he cannot pledge himself to try to influence them. I must, however, warn my hon. Friend that would be equally valid against the measure advocated by the hon. Member for establishing Imperial penny postage; for, if that were done, a letter sent through Italy to Malta would cost the sender id., while a letter sent by the same mail only as far as Italy would cost him 2½d.