§ Lord APSLEYasked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated profit which will accrue from the administration of the British air-mail services during the current financial year if the weight of mail carried by such routes continues to increase at present rates; and whether, if such profit is greater than in previous years, he will consider allocating therefrom a pro rata increased amount for advertising British air-mail services in post offices and elsewhere, or otherwise placing such profits for the benefit of British air-mail services and not foreign ones?
§ Sir K. WOODIf by British Air Services my Noble Friend means services1446W maintained by a British company as distinct from services used by the British public, the profit is estimated at present at about £13,000 per annum, which is derived entirely from 'foreign postings. I am considering whether any further measures are practicable to bring to the notice of the public the advantages of air transport, but I must have regard to the interests of the British public who desire to correspond with foreign countries as well as those who may correspond with countries served by British companies.
§ Mr. L. SMITHasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the case of letters sent to foreign countries by airmail a charge of 2½d. is made in respect of collection and delivery alone, in addition to the air-mail fee, whereas in the case of letters sent by ordinary routes the fee of 2½d. has to cover not only collection and delivery but also transport charges; and whether he will take an early opportunity to abolish this anomaly?
§ Sir K. WOODThe air mails to practically all foreign countries outside Europe and a considerable proportion of the air mails to European countries are conveyed for part of their journey by rail and steamboat and have to carry the same transport charges as ordinary letters. The postage and air fee have been combined in a single charge and there is at present no margin of profit which would justify a reduction.
§ Mr. L. SMITHasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the recent successful introduction of air-mail postcards, he will consider permitting at an early date the use of letter-cards on such routes?
§ Sir K. WOODLetter-cards can be sent by air mail at the rates advertised for letters. A reduced rate for letter-cards would necessarily entail a considerable diversion of light letters and consequent sacrifice of revenue without any corresponding reduction in transport charges.