§ 99. Mr. Grimstonasked the Postmaster-General if he will give the reasons for 290W the rise in the inland rates of postage for parcels imposed by the Inland Post Warrant, 1947.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe recent increases in inland parcel post rates were made first to restore approximate parity with the railway parcel rates as otherwise Post Office resources of manpower and accommodation would not have sufficed to handle efficiently the increased volume of business which would have been diverted from the railways to the postal service; and, secondly, to reduce the loss falling on the parcel post service. As compared with prewar, the present parcel post rates show an average increase of 47 per cent., whereas costs have increased by over 50 per cent. Railway parcel rates have increased by 55 per cent. in the same period.