24. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers who were sent out to Mesopotamia in May last and whose relatives have written to them every week have only received two letters and no parcels; and whether he can hold out any hope of an improvement in the postal service to the troops in Mesopotamia?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Joseph Pease)I am aware that there has been delay in a number of cases in the delivery of letters and parcels to the troops in Mesopotamia. My responsibility ends as soon as letters and parcels are delivered at Bombay. The Postal Service in the field, which is under the control of officials of the Indian Post Office, has been greatly handicapped by deficiencies both of transport and of personnel, but I understand that in both respects a substantial improvement has been made which will shortly become apparent.
§ Mr. PEASEIf it is in relation to any delay occurring subsequent to Bombay it should be addressed to the India Office.
§ Sir J. JARDINEHave all these letters and parcels to go first to Bombay before they go on to Mesopotamia?
§ 26. Major HUNTasked whether the glare goggles supplied to the troops in Mesopotamia were found to be worse than useless by eye specialists; and whether the troops have now been supplied with the right sort of glasses?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGENo, Sir. The glare goggles have not been found useless so far as the Army Council is aware. An ample supply of goggles of good patterns have been dispatched to the troops in Mesopotamia.