§ 26. Sir John Mellorasked the Postmaster General whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in the total cost of postage experienced by certain firms as a result of the Empire air-mail scheme; and whether he will offer alternative facilities at cheaper rates for letters that are not urgent?
§ Major TryonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 3rd February to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall (Mr. Leckie).
§ Sir J. MellorIn view of the fact that there is much correspondence which is not urgent and which is not eligible for second-class mail, could the right hon. Member offer some different facilities for such correspondence?
§ Major TryonNo, Sir. The whole scheme is based on the plan of having all first-class mails sent by air, and in view of the fact that the reduction on 16 mails sent by air is from 6d. to 1½d., and that the mails go faster by air, I do not think that there is any cause of complaint.
§ 28. Mr. Anstruther-Grayasked the Postmaster-General on how many occasions mail for East, South, and Central Africa have been offloaded at an intermediate point and carried on by subsequent aeroplane; and what delay has been caused in each case?
§ Major TryonI am having inquiry made and will write to my hon. Friend.