§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)To ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that 20s. postal orders cannot be purchased at the British post-offices at Constantinople, Salonica, and Smyrna; and, seeing that the French post-offices in Turkey charge the same commission on money orders there for France as is charged in France itself, he will, with a view to encourage British trade, give similar opportunities.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) I am aware that postal orders for 20s. cannot be purchased at the British post-offices at Constantinople, Salonica, and Smyrna. The rates of commission charged at those offices for the issue of money orders are the same as are charged in this country for money orders payable at places abroad, and it is not proposed to interfere with them. According to the latest information in my possession the rates of commission charged on money orders issued at French post-offices in foreign countries for sums of £1 and over are higher than the French inland rates.