HC Deb 15 April 1913 vol 51 c1813
45. Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the Postmaster-General whether he realises that Great Britain is the only country which has no parcels post service with China viâ Siberia, and that all trade samples and other goods suitable for transmission by parcels post have now to be sent from China through the German or other foreign post office, and that all like goods dispatched from Great Britain to China have first to be sent to either Germany or Russia and thence reconsigned, at the cost of delay and expense, to China; and whether, in justice to British traders, he will afford them the same parcels post facilities as those enjoyed by the competing traders of other countries?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I hope to be able to make a statement on this subject shortly. Parcels for this country viâ Siberia can be posted at the British Post Office agencies in China as well as at agencies of other nationalities and at Chinese post offices, but the service is little used. Parcels are transmitted viâ Siberia more slowly than letters.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that there is unfair preference in favour of foreign traders?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Not that I am aware of, so far as the service from China to England, to which the hon. Member's question relates, is concerned.