§ Mr. LeslieBoyce asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether in view of the fact that the existing rate of postage by air mail to Australia is 10 times greater per half-ounce than it will be under the Empire air mail scheme, he will reduce the present rate pending the extension of the scheme to Australia;
(2) whether he is in a position to announce the date or dates on and after which all first-class mail will be conveyed to Australia and New Zealand under the Empire air mail scheme at the flat rate of postage of ½d. per half-ounce?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe Empire Air Mail Scheme will be extended to Australia on 28th July when the first consignment of first-class mail for Australia and New Zealand, at the flat rate of postage of 1½d. per half ounce, will leave this country by air as the normal means of transmission. I regret that I am not in a position, in the meantime, to anticipate the benefits of the scheme by reducing the present air postage rate of 1s. 3d. per half ounce.