§ Mr. HURDasked the Postmaster General whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made at the con- 2396W ference of West of England chambers of commerce held at Bristol that in the parcels post an average of breakages is a thousand daily; whether he is aware of any private business with a similar breakage record; and what redress and compensation are available for senders of these parcels?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS:I had not seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers. The Post Office carried nearly 120,000,000 parcels during the past financial year. Claims for compensation were met in respect of about 10,000 parcels, that is, about one in every 12,000 parcels dealt with. These claims covered parcels lost as well as those damaged in the post. The conditions under which compensation for damage is paid are published in the Post Office guide. Generally speaking, they are that compensation is allowed unless the parcel contains articles of an exceptionally fragile nature or is insufficiently packed.