HC Deb 13 July 1925 vol 186 cc879-80W
Major GLYN

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average time taken in transit of a postal packet not exceeding 2 lbs. in weight between London and the following destinations: Sofia, Athens, Bagdad, Calcutta, Hong Kong. Tokio, Pekin, Petrograd, Warsaw, Vienna, Rome, and Madrid; and what in each case is the postal rate for delivery?

Lord WOLMER

The approximate transit times from London for a letter packet of any weight up to the maximum of 4 lb. are us follow:

Days.
Sofia 3
Athens 5
Bagdad:
By desert motor route or air mail 9
Via Bombay 24
Calcutta 17
Hong Kong:
Via Siberia 24–27
Via Suez 28–30
Via North America 31–35

Days.
Tokio:
Via Siberia 21
Via North America 24–32
Peking:
Via Siberia 19
Via North America 30–34
Leningrad
Warsaw
Vienna 2
Rome 2
Madrid 2

The ordinary postage on a letter packet, just under 2 lb. in weight, for a British destination overseas is 2s. 8½d., for a foreign destination 4s. 1d. The rate for a packet of printed papers or commercial papers or samples of the same weight is 8d. for any destination. A packet sent by parcel post would take rather longer but the charge would be considerably less. The charges and approximate times of transmission are shown in the tables at pages 618–683 of the Post Office Guide.