HC Deb 18 July 1916 vol 84 c847
65. Mr. O'GRADY

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the effect on the parents and relatives of troops at the front of the rates of postage charged upon small parcels containing such articles as underclothing and writing materials," whether, in the event of the contents being declared, parcels containing certain articles can be sent free or at a lower rate of postage; and whether he will issue a schedule of all such articles as may be sent free or at a lower rate of postage?

The POSTMASTERGENERAL (Mr. J. Pease)

I regret that it is not practicable, in view of the vast and growing bulk of the parcel mails now over 780,000 parcels per week for the Expeditionary Forces, and of the importance of preserving regularity and rapidity in delivery and of the difficulties of providing adequate transport both in this country and abroad, to make any reduction such as that suggested by the hon. Member in the rates of postage on parcels for the troops abroad.