§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the time taken to get letters to and from the troops on the Russian front; whether this is due to censorship or to irregularity of communication; and whether steps will be taken, by notifying the dates of sailings in the Press, to secure quicker communication?
§ Mr. PEASEMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Mails for the North Russian Expeditionary Force are dispatched by all available means from this country; the number of dispatches during the last two months has averaged about two a week, but the sailings are made at irregular intervals. Mails are forwarded from North Russia by all available opportunities. There is no avoidable delay in getting the mails to Murmansk, but owing to difficulties of communication there may in the case of certain units be considerable delay before2548W they can be sent up from the base, particularly to units stationed at or based on Archangel. I fear that it is not practicable to announce the dates of dispatch of mails in the Press, as dates of sailing are liable to be altered at short notice.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the anxiety felt by the relatives and friends of our soldiers serving in North Russia, he is able to make any statement as to the position there?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAll information that can possibly be given at present without endangering our own forces has already been given to the Press, and such information will continue to be issued as it becomes available. The fullest possible communiqués are being issued at frequent intervals.