§ Mr. HOGGEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the duty charged on many of the parcels at Mount Pleasant parcels office only averages ld. or 2d.; and whether he can see his way to reduce the charge of 6d. on such parcels?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNI am aware that the duties raised on foreign and colonial parcels are in many cases of small amount. There is, however, no necessary relation between the amount of the duty raised on a parcel and the cost to the Post Office of clearing it through the Customs; and as the present fee of 6d. does not cover the average cost per parcel of the services performed by the Post Office in connection with the Customs clearance I regret that I cannot see my way to reduce the fee.