§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he was aware that the Siberian mail route to Japan and China is available only for letters and parcel post, and not for bonâ fide samples within the twelve-ounce limit, the same as are transmissible to other countries at the uniform rate of 1d. for four ounces; whether the charge for such a parcel of samples would be 6s. for any weight up to eleven pounds; whether the alternative route by New York and Vancouver is, on the average, fifteen days longer; and whether he will endeavour to have such sample packages included in the list of postage matters which may be sent at the lower rate by the Siberian route?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware of the facts stated by the hon. Member, and should be glad if I could provide for sending samples by the Siberian route. Unfortunately the charges made by the East of China Railway Company for the transmission of postal matter by that route are so high that I feel bound, in common with other European postal administrations, to make but a restricted use of it. I shall, however, lose no opportunity to press for such reductions as, I hope, will lead to samples and other matter being sent to China and Japan viâ Siberia,