§ 65. Mr. Bossomasked the Postmaster-General how many of the food parcels sent by the people of Tasmania addressed to the Secretary, Headquarters, British ex-Service League, London, England, for the use of needy families of the British Legion, were returned to Tasmania instead of being delivered; and what charge was made for the return postage.
70. Lady Grantasked the Postmaster-General why the Post Office authorities refused to accept parcels sent from ex-Service men in Tasmania addressed to the British ex-Service League and returned them to Tasmania.
§ 74. Sir I. Fraserasked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement regarding 24 parcels sent by the Returned Soldiers' League of Tasmania to the Headquarters, British ex-Service League, London, marked "Gift Food Parcels"; why all these parcels were returned to the senders as insufficiently addressed; and why the senders had to pay 5s. 10d. each.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingSo far as I have been able to ascertain, 10 parcels from Tasmania addressed "The Secretary, Headquarters, British ex-Service League, London," were treated as undeliverable last year, because efforts to trace such an organisation proved unsuccessful. No instructions had been given by the senders for disposal in the event of non-delivery, and the parcels were therefore returned to the senders in conformity with the regulations governing the International Parcel Post Service, the senders becoming responsible for the return postage of 5s. 10d. on each parcel. I am glad to say that subsequently arrangements were made some months ago by agreement with the Australian Post Office for food parcels from Australia which cannot be delivered as addressed, and which have not been marked for return to the sender, to be handed to the Ministry of Food who have arrangements for appropriate distribution, e.g. to charitable and other needy institutions. I hope to extend this arrangement to other countries.