§ Mr. BARKERasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that it takes about 40 days for the mails to be taken from London to Peking at the present time; that the Siberian route is now open; and that letters between London and Peking reach their destination in about 20 days; will he therefore arrange for His Majesty's mails to be taken by the Siberian route so that traders in the Far East can get the benefit of this quicker despatch?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe average period of transit of mails from London to Peking by the sea routes via Suez and via North America is about 35 days. It is the case that the Siberian route is again open and mails for China have been sent by it since the end of last April; but the service is still uncertain, and only letters and postcards specially addressed by the senders for transmission via Siberia are at present being sent. The period of transit of the mails already sent has varied from 21 to 35 days. I am fully aware of the importance to traders of a fast mail service to the Far East and the possibilities of developing the Siberian route will be kept under consideration