HC Deb 09 May 1912 vol 38 c731W
Sir EDWARD BEAUCHAMP

asked the Postmaster - General why book-post packets cannot be sent to Japan via Siberia although they are sent by that route from Japan to this country?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Packets paid at the rate for printed papers are excluded from transmission via Siberia by the British and other European Post Offices (except that of Russia) in consequence of the very high rates charged by the Russian authorities for the Trans-Siberian service. Negotiations are in progress which may, I hope, result in such a reduction of the charges as will admit of the despatch via Siberia of all postal packets.