§ 1. Mr. W. O. Clarkasked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider a reduction of postal charges on parcels to refugees during World Refugee Year.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Miss Mervyn Pike)Much as I sympathise with the aims of the World Refugee Year, I am sorry that I cannot make this concession. There are very many charitable and benevolent causes which could make equally strong claims for favourable treatment.
§ Mr. ClarkWould my hon. Friend bear in mind that the World Refugee Year is a precedent for this country and that it seems rather hard, when people give clothes to refugees, that they should have to meet these postal charges? Would she look at this again to see whether some reduction can be made in postal charges on parcels from donors to clearing centres for the collection of parcels, because I do not think it would entail any additional expense on the Post Office.
§ Miss PikeMy hon. Friend says that this is a precedent. That is why we are very nervous about making this concession, because we believe that there will be a great many of these efforts in the future, such as World Hunger Year. We feel that it would be a very heavy expense on this country.