§ 19. Commander MARSDENasked the Postmaster-General by what amount in 1932 the receipts of the British Post Office from sea-borne mail fees and from foreign postal administration exceeded the amount that they would have reached had the pound sterling been at par rates with all countries; and is it proposed to allocate a portion of these profits to mail-carrying ships flying the British flag?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Ernest Bennett)On balance, the suspension of the Gold 1755 Standard has entailed a substantial net increase in the cost of transport of mails abroad. There are therefore no profits to distribute.
§ Mr. THORNEMay I ask whether any of the mail flying-ships are subsidised in any way?
§ Sir E. BENNETTThat does not arise out of the question. If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will endeavour to give him the information.