§ 46. Sir John Mellorasked the Postmaster-General whether the lower rates of postage available for the despatch from the United Kingdom of registered newspapers, magazines and trade journals to Canada and Newfoundland can be extended to cover despatch to other parts of the British Empire?
§ The Postmaster-General (Major Tryon)The proposal made by my hon. Friend, which raises a number of complicated questions, both financial and otherwise, has been receiving consideration for some time past. The relevant inquiries have not yet been completed.
§ 47. Mr. T. Smithasked the Postmaster-General whether persons sending letters to South Africa weighing two ounces or more may have the option of sending letters by 1405 steamship, etc., at the old rates of postage instead of by air-mail at Zed. per half-ounce?
§ Major TryonAs the hon. Member will see from the White Paper (Command 5414) relating to the Empire Air Mail Scheme, the whole of the financial and other arrangements in connection with the scheme are based on the conveyance by air as the normal means of transmission of all first class mail (letters, letter packets and postcards) at the rate of rid. per half-ounce for letters and rd. for postcards, and I regret I am not in a position to sanction arrangements for the despatch of particular items of first class mail by surface route at the option of the sender.
§ Mr. SmithDoes not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that in some cases there will be hardship in this restriction?
§ Major TryonI hardly think there is much hardship in a general scheme which involves a reduction in the air service charge from 6d. to 1½d. per half-ounce. The hon. Member's suggestion would undermine the success of this scheme, which is of great importance from the point of view of Empire communications.