HC Deb 21 March 1898 vol 55 cc401-2
MR. HENNIKER HEATON

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, what is the cause of the delay in establishing a parcel post between Great Britain and Ireland and the United States of America; and how many years have elapsed since the negotiations were begun to carry out this reform?

MR. HANBURY

The delay in establishing a parcel post between this country and the United States of America has been due to the reluctance which the Government of the States has displayed to set up such a service. That Government was first approached on the subject in January, 1885; the negotiations have been continued since that time, they were personally renewed by the British Delegates at the recent Congress at Wash ington, and there are reasons for hoping that some arrangement may shortly be made which will enable parcels to be exchanged through the British Post Office between this country and the United States.