§ Mr. MORTONasked the Postmaster-General whether any further progress had been made with the proposal to adopt the penny post between France and this country?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI regret that it has not been possible to carry this proposal further.
§ Mr. MORTONAre any negotiations now going on with the French Post Office?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo negotiations are now proceeding. The question is purely one of finance, and the moment is not a propitious one for asking the Treasury to defray the cost of the great loss which would necessarily result from the adoption of the proposal.
§ Mr. MORTONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the time has arrived when we should have a penny postage for this very short distance, seeing that we have it for places much more distant?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt is highly desirable, and if it did not cost anything I should do it to-morrow.