HC Deb 14 February 1949 vol 461 c771
29. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Food why permits are given for parcels containing 4 lb. of coffee to be sent by commercial freight to France, but not by post.

Mr. Strachey

I am grateful to the hon. Member for pointing out this anomaly. As I told the hon. Member on 19th January, we are modifying the regulations for gift parcels, and in addition we have now arranged that in future parcels accompanied by a Board of Trade export licence will also be accepted for dispatch by parcel post.

Mr. Keeling

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how the Board of Trade came to issue permits for the despatch of 4 lb. of coffee by air at a cost of about two or three times the value of the coffee, while not allowing the coffee to be sent by post?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir. I could not answer questions on behalt of my right hon. Friend.