HC Deb 03 May 1923 vol 163 c1652W
Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will detail the circumstances that led his Department to decide that no compensation is liable for two parcels, numbered 25 and 26, addressed to the Eastern Trading Company, Bagdad, and two parcels, 32 and 33, addressed to the Pindi Sports Works, Rawalpindi, the property of Sunners, Brown, Limited, East Finchley, and lost on the steamship "Egypt"?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The Post Office does not pay compensation for the loss of an uninsured parcel sent abroad when the loss is due to a cause beyond control. The judgment of the Board of Trade inquiry decided that the loss of the "Egypt" was not caused by the wrongful act or default of the commander and officers, or any of them, and the loss must, therefore, be regarded as due to a cause beyond control. As no insurance fee appears to have been paid in respect of the parcels referred to, no claim to compensation can be admitted.