§ 57. Mr. EVELYN CECILasked what increases in postal rates have been made as war measures by the following countries since the beginning of the War, namely, Canada, Australia, the United States, France, and Italy; and what annual additions, if any, to the national revenue are in each case calculated to be the result?
§ The POSTMASTER - GENERAL (Mr. Illingworth)Of the countries mentioned I have at present complete information of increases in rates of letter postage only in the cases of Canada, the United States of America, and France.
In Canada a " War Tax " of 1 cent is levied on all letters the ordinary rate 1013 of postage for which does not exceed 2 cents (1d.) per ounce; and also on 1 cent postcards.
In the United States of America postage which used to be levied on letters at the rate of 2 cents per ounce has now, with certain exceptions, been raised to 3 cents per ounce.
In France the 10 centime letter rate has been raised to 15 centimes.
I am unable to give any information as to the effect of these increased charges on the national revenues of the countries in question.
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI have tried to get what information I can. I do not know that it is available yet, but I will try again.