§ Mr. GINNELLasked, since parcels post service is available from Peking and Tientsin viâ the Trans-Siberian Railway to England in twelve days, if the Postmaster-General will explain why a similar service is not available by the same route from England to those cities of North China, and parcels have to be transmitted instead viâ Suez, occupying six weeks in transit; and why the quick route, which has been used in both directions by other European countries since it was opened, has not yet been adopted by this country?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe hon. Member has been misinformed as to the time of transit. Parcels forwarded from Tientsin by the Trans-Siberian route reach this country in twenty-three days, not twelve days. The service from China by the route in question has not long been available for parcels. I hope to be able at an early date to institute a parcel post by this route from this country.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs it a fact that official Government correspondence continues to go round by Suez?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo, Sir; I do not think that is the fact.