MR. HAY MORGAN (Cornwall, Truro)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been 243 drawn to the fact that in consequence of the increased charge for letter hags and boxes many subscribers have ceased to use letter bags and boxes altogether; and whether he can inform the House what is the number of those who have ceased to subscribe for letter bags and boxes since the increased charge came into force.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThe number of renters of private boxes has somewhat decreased since the revised charges came into force, but I am not at present in a position to give a return of the number of boxes which have been given up. No increase has been made in the fees for private bags. Perhaps I may point out to my hon. friend that the reason why my predecessor increased the charge for private boxes was that the previous fee did not cover the additional cost incurred. It is a fallacy to suppose that these private bags and boxes are an advantage to the Post Office. On the contrary, they add appreciably to the complexity of the sorting.