HC Deb 02 March 1915 vol 70 cc647-8
30. LORD ROBERT CECIL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that postcards have been provided by private effort to the sick and wounded in British hospitals in order to communicate their arrival to their relatives; whether those postcards were provided at the suggestion of the War Office; and whether their provision has greatly diminished inquiries at the War Office as to the whereabouts of such sick and wounded?

Mr. TENNANT

Yes, Sir, a postcard has been provided by the British Red Cross Society, from whom the suggestion that such a postcard should be instituted originally emanated. The Army Council are grateful to the British Red Cross Society for their action in the matter, the results of which have been very satisfactory.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Would the right hon. Gentleman in these circumstances use his influence with the Postmaster-General to carry these postcards free, instead of charging a halfpenny for each?

Mr. TENNANT

I think the influence of the Noble Lord is much stronger with my right hon Friend than any I possess.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Then I conclude that the right hon. Gentleman would naturally prefer to do nothing?

31. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether our sick and wounded now in the base hospitals in France are now allowed to write and tell their relatives where they are; whether any official postcards are supplied to them for the purpose; and whether such postcards are carried post free?

Mr. TENNANT

Official postcards are supplied so that the sick and wounded in the hospitals in France may inform their relatives that they have been admitted. At present the postcard is only allowed to contain a statement of the official number of the hospital and not of the place where it is situated. The military authorities in France have, however, been asked to reconsider the form of the card, with a view to the inclusion of the name of the hospital. The cards are carried post free.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it exceedingly absurd that a postcard posted on the other side of the Channel is carried free, while a postcard posted on this side of the Channel is charged postage?

Mr. TENNANT

There are many things done on the other side of the Channel—as, for instance, in regard to the levying of taxes—in regard to which the methods differ from those on this side of the Channel.