§ 84. Sir F. SANDERSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of cases have occurred where letters and parcels received from France although stamped with the correct amount demanded in France, are being charged with further cost of postage and excess charges upon delivery to the addressee in this country, in one case a parcel weighing, approximately, 15 ounces and bearing stamps to the value of 150 centimes being charged with an excess of 4s. 10d. upon delivery in England; and whether he will revise the postal arrangements between England and France in such a way as to prevent the continuance of this inconvenience to English correspondents?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSUnder the regulations of the International Postal Union the transmission of articles at reduced rates of postage is subject to specified conditions—as, for example, that an article sent by sample post must be a bonâ fide sample not of saleable value. When these conditions are not complied with the packet becomes liable to surcharge on delivery. I am afraid that I cannot accept responsibility where it is said that wrong information has been given by a foreign post office; but in regard to certain cases of this kind representations have already been made to the French Post Office.