53. Colonel WHITEasked the Postmaster-General whether parcels addressed to troops serving in the Dardanelles are charged for at the rate of 1s. 4d. for 7 lbs. and Is. 7d. for 11 lbs., whereas parcels for the Fleet serving in the Mediterranean are charged 1s. 9d. and 2s. 6d. respectively; and, if so, whether he will arrange that parcels for the men of the Fleet should be placed on the same basis as those for men of the Expeditionary Force there?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The postage rates on parcels for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force are the same as on parcels for His Majesty's ships in foreign waters (including those in the Mediterranean), namely, 1s., 1s. 9d., and 2s. 6d. for parcels not exceeding 3, 7, and 11 lbs. respectively.
§ Colonel YATEHas the right hon. Gentleman been able to do anything to reduce the price of small parcels? Can he arrange to send a 1-lb. parcel for 4d.?
§ Mr. SAMUELNo, Sir, I am afraid that is impossible, in view of the fact that we have to make payments to other countries for costs involved in transmission.
Colonel WHITEWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange that parcels to the Mediterranean Fleet shall be placed on the same basis as those for the Expeditionary Force?
§ Mr. SAMUELThat is already done. I stated in my answer that the arrangements are the same for the men serving with the Fleet and the men with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
Colonel WHITEBut are the rates for the Fleet the same as those for the Expeditionary Force in France—I understand they are higher?
§ Mr. SAMUELThat was not the question. The question was whether the parcels for the Expeditionary Force in the Dardanelles and the Mediterranean Fleet were on the same basis?