§ Mr. Horabinasked the Postmaster-General whether he will further reduce the special parcels post rates for parcels going to the fighting forces in France to the prevailing inland parcels post rate, in view of the fact that such parcels are addressed Care of the Army Post Office, and the Post Office is therefore relieved of the cost of delivering such parcels from door to door?
§ Major TryonThe postage rates which are the same for parcels for the armed forces not only in France, but also overseas wherever they may be serving and for His Majesty's ships in foreign waters, were substantially reduced on the 18th October.
The present charge of 9d. for parcels up to 3 lb., which constitute 50 per cent. of the traffic, compares favourably with the charge of 1s. for the British Expeditionary Force in the last war, and with the existing charge of 1s. 6d. for parcels up to 2 lb. for civil addresses in France. I regret that I cannot see my way to make a further reduction.
I should like to emphasise that the address "Care of the Army Post Office" is now obsolete. Correspondence for a soldier in France should be addressed" British Expeditionary Force, "while correspondence for a soldier serving elsewhere overseas should be addressed to the actual place or country where he is serving.