§ 80. Mr. RILEYasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a parcel of punched paper sent from Germany to a firm in Dewsbury and charged by the Berlin post office at 4s. was surcharged by the British postal authorities 29s. 3d. on its delivery to the consignee at Dews-bury; and can he give any explanation for such a surcharge?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe two packets to which the hon. Member apparently refers were surcharged because the postage originally paid was insufficient They were sent at the Printed Papers rate; but the contents were not printed papers within the meaning of the international regulations, and they were accordingly liable to letter postage. I may add that the German post office agrees with this decision and explains that the packets were accepted irregularly at the office of posting.
§ Mr. RILEYIs the Noble Lord aware that this paper can only be obtained in Germany and that it is used as raw material in British Manufacture which has to compete in a foreign market which is not subject to this large surcharge?
§ Viscount WOLMERThat is no reason why it should not pay the ordinary postage rate.