§ 17. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Postmaster-General what consideration he had given to a reduced charge for parcels offered in bulk for postal delivery; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Edward ShortSeveral methods of assessing postage on bulk postings of parcels are being considered and I hope to be able to announce a scheme fairly soon.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes the Postmaster-General agree that, as a result of the introduction of a discount of this kind, there would be a substantial transfer into the Post Office of parcels from mail order firms and manufacturing firms producing small components, and that this would have the healthy side effect of transferring traffic from the roads to the railways?
§ Mr. ShortWe already do a substantial amount of business with mail order firms. This is the reason why we want 426 to introduce this scheme. We feel that it can be made to work. I am grateful for the help given me by the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Sir D. Glover) in drawing up this scheme.