§ Mr. SHEPPERSONasked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that the difficulty of the British producer to obtain close commercial contact with the consumer is largely responsible for the present distressed condition of British arable agriculture, he will favourably consider the granting of such reduced charges and other preferential postal facilities as will enable agricultural produce to be economically brought direct to the consumer?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have every sympathy with the object which the hon. Member has in view. A reduction in the rates of parcel post became operative on the 14th May of this year, and I must wait to see the effect of this reduction upon the traffic before any further reduction can be considered.