§ MR. HENNIKIR HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Postmaster- 856 General whether he is aware that our postal authorities despatch all British parcel mails for Ecuador via the Straits of Magellan, a route of over 10,600 miles, and the average time for this mail is eighty-five days, while, if this parcel mail was despatched by the Isthmus of Panama, a distance of 5,600 miles, it would be delivered in Ecuador in twenty-five days; whether he is aware that the present arrangement gives foreigners an advantage over British manufacturers because goods are ordered from countries where rapid transit can be ensured; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarAll parcels from the United Kingdom for Ecuador are sent by way of France pending the conclusion of an Agreement for a direct service, as to which I have for some time been awaiting a further communication from the Government of Ecuador. The route via Panama is, so far as I am aware, available for parcels sent from this country to France for transmission to Ecuador; and a notification to this effect appears in the Post Office Guide. I am making inquiry of the French Administration whether any obstacle has arisen to the use of this route, and I will acquaint my hon. friend with the result. I should add that the time taken via Magellan is less and that via Colon is more than the hon. Member supposes.