§ 33. Sir Arthur Salterasked the Postmaster-General whether his Department forwards a letter to the United States of America by the earliest and quickest ship in all cases in which it would do so if the sender inserted the name of that ship on the envelope; and, if not, whether he will arrange that this shall be done in future so as to save much unnecessary trouble to senders of letters in searching shipping lists?
§ The Postmaster-General (Major Tryon)Letters for the United States of America are normally forwarded by the earliest and quickest ship available. It happens, however, from time to time that an express steamer belonging to a foreign line sails from Southampton on the same day as the British contract ship and is due to reach New York before that ship. In such circumstances the mails are never- 834 theless sent by the British ship. The arrangement seems to me a reasonable one, and I do not feel justified in disturbing it.
§ Sir A. SalterIs it only in cases where the fast foreign ship sails on the same day that that discrimination is made?
§ Major TryonIt depends on the circumstances in each case. We are doing our best to get mails across as quickly as possible, but the views which the hon. Gentleman is putting forward are not really in accordance with the contract approved by this House or with the interests of British shipping.