§ SIR JOHN KENNAWAY (Devon, Honiton)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if at the present time 2s. 9d. per pound or fraction of a pound has to be paid on all parcels to Rhodesia, in addition to 1s. 6d. levied on each parcel on arrival and to charges levied by the Portuguese Government, and whether he can hold out hopes of an alteration of these charges in favour of the field force now serving in Rhodesia, including the privilege of penny postage.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY, Preston)The postage payable upon all 396 parcels sent to Rhodesia is 2s. 9d. a pound, or fraction of a pound, up to the limit of seven pounds. In addition to this postage a fixed charge of 1s. 6d. is made by the Rhodesian authorities upon every dutiable parcel for stamp duty and the formalities connected with its clearance through the Customs. The Postmaster General has no knowledge of any charges levied at Beira in respect of transit through Portuguese territory. There is no agreement regulating the matter; but the Portuguese Post Office would be within its rights in levying a charge. Parcels for the Rhodesian Field Force, prepaid the inland rate of postage, and addressed care of Embarkation Officer, Southampton, are despatched from Southampton by the military authorities as military opportunities occur. All letters for the Rhodesian Field Force prepaid at the rate of 1d. per half-ounce are being treated exceptionally, and sent forward from this country for delivery free of charge.