§ 60. Mr. AMMONasked the Postmaster-General the number of parcels posted cash-on-delivery during the first six months' working of the cash-on-delivery system; whether this figure is in excess of the estimated number for the period and, if so, by how many; and can he state the approximate contribution of this service towards the revenue for the period?
§ Viscount WOLMERDuring the first six months approximately 450,000 inland cash-on-delivery parcels were posted. The approximate gross revenue was £11,250.
§ Mr. AMMONCan the Noble Lord say whether the figures are in excess of the estimated number for the period?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe Postmaster-General never asked for a very close estimate of the number of cash-on-delivery parcels that would be likely to be purchased, because it would be obviously impossible to obtain that with a new service. The closest estimate that I have heard was something under a million and it appears that that has been close to the mark.
§ Sir W. PERRINGMay I ask the Noble Lord whether the expenditure already incurred in connection with this system is not about 10 times as much as the revenue?
§ Viscount WOLMERYes, Sir. In reply to the hon. Member for Paddington (Sir W. Perring) I can assure him that 1905 there is no loss whatever to the Post Office. The system is making a slight profit to the Government.
§ Sir W. PERRINGThe Noble Lord has not answered the question. I asked him whether the expense incurred in connection with the system was not about 10 times more than the net revenue?
§ Viscount WOLMERNo, Sir. The net revenue more than covers the expense.