72. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Postmaster-General whether parcels up to 11 pounds weight can now be sent to soldiers at the front for the ordinary charge for postage; and, if not, whether he can see his way to restore the ordinary rates and conditions for sending parcels to men who are serving their country abroad?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. J. Pease)The reason for the reduction in the maximum weight of parcels for the Expeditionary Forces is the necessity of keeping within reasonable limits the number and bulk of the parcels sent overseas. Nearly 100,000 parcels a day are dispatched to France—a number which heavily taxes the resources both of the cross-Channel steamships and the military transport overseas. The step was taken after full discussion with the military authorities, and I fear that I can hold out no hope under existing conditions of a return to the former maximum weight of 11 pounds.
Mr. WILSONWas not the reason given for reducing the weight of parcels owing to the very large number at Christmas and the New Year?
§ Mr. PEASEYes, that is so, but the number of troops sent overseas has been increased since that date.