§ MR. WALTER HAZELL (Leicester)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the system in operation in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, and India, whereby the Post Office collects the purchase money for goods sent by parcel post and remits it to the sender less a small commission; and, whether, in view of the expected development of the parcel post, consequent upon reduced charges, he will consider the advisability of introducing the system into this country?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General is aware of the system in operation in many countries abroad, whereby the Post Office collects the purchase money for goods sent by parcel post and remits it to the sender less a small commission. The question of introducing the system into the postal service of this country has been for many years before the Department, but hitherto there has not appeared to be throughout the community any strong or widespread desire for its adoption, while retail traders are much opposed to it. It is significant that a resolution in favour of its introduction brought forward at the last autumn meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce was lost by a large majority. While public opinion remains so greatly divided, the Postmaster General would not feel justified in taking any action in the matter.