§ Lord CLAUD HAMILTONasked the Postmaster-General if it would be possible to reduce the rate of postage on parcels for troops at the front to the rate prevalent in Great Britain, and to extend the same reduction to illustrated papers?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELAs my predecessor stated in answer to previous questions, a reduction of postage charges on parcels for the Army is not practicable on account of the large increase in the number and weight of the parcels which might be expected to follow, and the excessive burden that would be thrown upon the military authorities to provide the additional transport required. As it is, the number of parcels sent daily to the Expeditionary Force in France has increased from 12,000 in November and 18,000 in February, when previous answers on the subject were given in the House, to between 60,000 and 70,000 at the present time. In addition, about half a million letters and newspapers are sent daily, and the total weight of mail matter is about 100 tons a day. I greatly regret that in these circumstances I cannot adopt the suggestion in the question.