§ Mr. FREDERICK WHYTEasked the Postmaster-General what is the limit of weight of parcels in the parcels post of Germany, France, Belgium, and Switzerland; what was the original limit in the United States of America when this service was introduced as a Department of Government in that country, and what is the present limit; and at what date the British limit of 11 lbs. was fixed?
§ Captain NORTONI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the inland parcel post service of the countries in question. The limit of weight for parcels in the inland service of Germany is 50 kilogrammes (about 110 lbs.); in the Belgian inland service the limit is 60 kilogrammes (about 132 lbs.); in the Swiss inland service the limit is 60 kilogrammes for certain localities and 50 kilogrammes for others. In the French inland service the limit is 10 kilogrammes (about 22 lbs.). In the United States of America the limit, when the inland parcel post came into operation on the 1st of January, 1913, was fixed at 11 lbs.; on the 15th of August, 1913, the limit for parcels sent not more than 150 miles was raised to 20 lbs. The present limits (fixed on the 1st of January, 1914) are 50 lbs. for parcels sent not more than 150 miles, and 20 lbs. for those sent greater distances. The maximum weight of 11 lbs. for the inland parcel post in this country was fixed on the 1st May, 1886.