The United Kingdom, which as the Mandatory Power in Palestine was also responsible for Palestinian relations with the Universal Postal Union, informed the United Nations Palestine Commission in March 1948 that it could not assume responsibility for mail reaching Palestine after certain specified dates: March 15 for parcel mail, April 15 for letter mail sent by surface routes, April 15 for parcel mail sent to Palestine in transit to countries beyond, and February 29 for money order service. The Commission relayed this information to the International Bureau of the Union, which stated that the Palestine Commission or any agent it chose to appoint during the transitional period prior to the establishment of independent states might enter into relationship with the Union. The Commission instructed its advance party in Jerusalem to determine the best method for establishing emergency postal arrangements.