HC Deb 25 June 1947 vol 439 cc58-9W
86. Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

asked the Postmaster-General what are the postage rates charged for sending food parcels from Canada to the United Kingdom; whether such rates are fixed by him or by the Canadian Government; whether he is aware that complaints are being made that in some cases the cost of postage exceeds the value of the parcel concerned; and whether he will take such steps as are open to him with a view to reducing such postage charges.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

The postage rate on parcels sent from Canada to the United Kingdom, which are fixed by the Canadian Post Office, were reduced on 1st January last, and I am sending the hon. and gallant Member details of the old and the new rates. I am unaware of any recent complaints of the nature mentioned. As regards a further reduction in postage rates from Canada, I would refer to my answer on 4th June to the hon. and gallant Member for Barnstaple (Brigadier Peto) about the rates from Australia. The same considerations apply regarding the sums credited to the British Post Office for its work in handling and delivering Canadian parcels.