§ 7. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Postmaster-General if he will consider introducing lower postal rates for parcels sent overseas by air, in view of the great difference between air mail charges and surface mail charges, and the hardship caused to many firms wishing to send samples of export goods overseas.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingSecond class mail, which includes samples, may be sent by air mail at reduced postage rates to the whole of Central and South America and the West Indies. I hope very shortly to provide similar facilities to Canada, the United States of America and Mexico, and to extend them to Commonwealth destinations on the "Empire" routes to South Africa, India and Australia by about the end of the year.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that in the meantime the present charges are a severe handicap to our export trade and that a constituent of mine who wanted to send a parcel to Australia found that whereas the charge by surface mail was 11d. the cost by air mail was 33s.; and will he look into this matter and do something before the end of the year?
§ Mr. PalingYes, Sir. I realise that the handicap exists and I should like to remedy it as soon as possible.