§ 28. Mr. DIXEYasked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to reduce the minimum weight allowed for letters carried by air-mail from the United Kingdom to South America from 1120 the present standard of half an ounce to the standard of one-quarter ounce, which is approximately the minimum weight prevailing on the Continent of Europe amongst countries carrying air-mail to South America; and whether, in view of the fact that the existence of the lower minimum on the Continent encourages the illegal despatch from this country of letters weighing under a quarter of an ounce by ordinary post, and in bulk, to Continental centres for subsequent separate despatch by air-mail to destinations including those served by British air-mail, he will take steps, by coming into line with the Continental usage, to save the commercial community of this country the needless wastage and expense involved by the present half-ounce minimum, and secure for the British-owned air-mail services the air-mail letter-freights which are now being given to foreign-owned commercial air-mail services?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Ernest Bennett)My right hon. Friend is looking into the matter and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.