§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Postmaster-General whether in view of the complaints by the chief British interests in South America of the existing high tariff for air-mails to South America as compared with the tariff for air-mails to Great Britain, he can state the division of the charge for air-mails to South America among the different Governments concerned; and whether, in view of the steps that he is taking to cheapen airmail in different parts of the world, he will also take steps to cheapen air-mail between Great Britain and South America?
§ Sir K. WOODThe relatively high air postage rates from this country to South America are due entirely to the high conveyance charges which have to be paid to the two countries which operate the services, namely, France and Germany. The rates charged in this country were originally fixed before the departure of this country from the Gold Standard; and as the conveyance charges have to be in gold, and no compensating increase has been made in the postage rates, the service is at present being run at a substantial loss. In these circumstances, I regret that I cannot effect any reduction in the existing charges to the public.