§ Mr. HAZLETONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Parliamentary Papers are delivered without charge to Members while in the Colonies and British possessions; that if delivered to them in foreign countries a heavy postage is charged; and whether he will make arrangements to have the Vote Office bear the necessary expense of postage in the latter case?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Sydney Buxton)Under the Regulations of the Postal Union, the only correspondence which can be sent from one country to another without payment by means of postage stamps is official correspondence exchanged between Postal Administrations on Postal business. Arrangements have been made with the Colonial Post Offices for the mutual recognition of the "Official Paid" stamp on official correspondence of other kinds, but I am not in a position to make similar arrangements with foreign countries.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONMay I ask whether the Post Office is justified in making charges for the redirection of Parliamentary Papers inside the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. HAZLETONWhy is it that the Vote Office will not bear the necessary expense of the postage of documents sent out from their office?
§ Mr. BUXTONThat is not a matter for me; it is for the Vote Office and the Stationery Office. I have no control over them in regard to these matters.