§ *MR. HOLT (Northumberland, Hexham)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General, whether, while letters if specially addressed are forwarded from this country to Shanghai viâ Siberia, the Post Office refuses to forward commercial papers by this route; and, if so, what is the reason for this refusal.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONIn consequence of the very high charges for the conveyance of mails via Siberia the British Post Office has been compelled, in common with other European Post Offices generally, to restrict the use of this route to specially addressed letters and postcards.
§ *MR. HOLTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, considering the importance to British traders of getting their commercial papers forwarded by the best available means, he will see if he cannot arrange to allow those to use this route who are willing to pay a reasonable surcharge?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI do not know how far that comes within the terms of the Postal Convention, but if the hon. Member will speak to me I will consider the matter with him.