§ Mr. MORTONasked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the fact that the penny post with the United States of America was agreed to without waiting for the adoption of a universal penny post, and that the penny post has been adopted with Egypt as well as at the treaty ports in China, he will consider the advisability of making the same arrangement with Constantinople?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have nothing to add to my answer to my hon. Friend of the 7th inst.
§ Mr. MORTONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be wise, in connection with penny post, to take one step at a time?
§ Mr. BUXTONThat undoubtedly ought to be done, but the difficulty about taking one step at a time is that one step neces- 2137 sarily leads to others. As I pointed out to the House the other day, while I hope it may be possible to do this some day, at the same time, if it is granted to one European nation it could not be refused to others, and the cost of that would be £350,000 a year. In the present state of the finances of the country that is an amount I could hardly ask the Treasury for this year.
§ Mr. MORTONThe right hon. Gentleman has already taken this step with regard to the United States and also with regard to Egypt.
§ Mr. BUXTONIt would hardly be an argument that would weigh with the Treasury if I were to say: "I have already spent £150,000; therefore, give me another £350,000." They would probably say: "We gave you enough."