§ 38. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Postmaster-General what is the rate of postage on parcels to Egypt addressed to troops; and if he can reduce the charge, as the present rates press very heavily on the 254 parents and friends of the soldiers who are not in affluent circumstances?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe rate of postage on parcels addressed to the troops in Egypt, and at the Dardanelles, is the same as that on parcels addressed to the troops in France up to 3lbs. weight. I will consider whether any reduction can be made in the rates for heavier parcels.
Mr. FENWICKIs the Postmaster-General aware that a single parcel containing one pair of socks sent to a soldier at the front costs as much as 10d. for postage, and does he not think these charges are excessive, especially when poor people have to pay them?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware that there is some feeling that the postage rates on parcels to the front is somewhat high, and I very much desire to reduce them. Already the bulk of parcels is enormously great, and to reduce the parcels post rate would probably lead to an immense increase in the numbers sent, and this might throw upon the military authorities and the Post Office a burden of transport which they could not carry. Already at the present time 100 tons of mail matter and some 70,000 parcels are sent every evening to the Army in France. I should very much like to reduce the rates, but I am afraid it is not possible.
§ Mr. W. CROOKSWould it not be possible to have cheaper postage for the privates and non-commissioned officers who are the poorest in the Army?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt is a question of parcels sent to the Army.
§ Mr. EDGAR JONESWould the right hon. Gentleman look into the question of the leakage of parcels and letters in the French Civil Post which is often responsible for the trouble?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of this question.