HC Deb 05 December 1912 vol 44 c2477
44. Mr. CAMPION

asked whether letters for the Cape mail have to be posted on Saturdays and are only received from the Cape on Saturdays; and whether he can do anything to obviate the consequent inconvenience to the public?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am fully aware of the inconvenience of the present arrangement under which there is no adequate interval in this country for replies between the delivery of correspondence received from South Africa and the departure of the next outgoing mail steamer. The presence in England of the Postmaster-General of the Union of South Africa has enabled me recently to discuss with him the many difficult questions which any alteration in the dates of sailings presents. I am glad to be able to say that I hope that, with his concurrence, a rearrangement will shortly be effected so as to give a sufficient interval for reply to correspondents in this country.