§ 41. Miss Baconasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the high cost of posting relief parcels to Angolan women refugees now in the Congo; if he is further aware that at some post 199W offices the sender is required to complete forms in English, French and Flemish; and if he will take steps to make it easier to send such parcels.
§ Mr. MawbyThe postage rates for surface parcels to the Congo Republic are based on the cost of providing the service. Much as my right hon. Friend sympathises with the plight of refugees he could not reduce rates for parcels sent to them without offering similar concessions for many other equally worthy causes.
As regards the second part of the Question, I think that the hon. Member may be referring to the Customs declaration forms. To meet the requirements of the Congo Administration these declarations have to be either in French or in Flemish—not both—whilst English is, of course, required for our own purposes.