HC Deb 05 June 1918 vol 106 cc1573-4
47. Sir F. HALL

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that sailors serving on His Majesty's ships both in home waters and abroad are charged 1d. per oz. on letters sent by them; and whether, considering that soldiers serving abroad are rightly allowed to send their letters post free, he will take steps to grant free postage on letters sent by sailors afloat in order that both branches of the Service may receive similar treatment?

69. Mr. ROWLANDS

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that officers and men of the Navy have always had to pay the ordinary postage on letters-sent by them; if the advantage given to officers and men of the Army of not paying postage on their letters will be extended to the Navy; whether he is aware that, in the case of the Army, letters sent by relatives and friends to officers and men on service go at the old postage rate while those sent to the Navy have to bear the increased charge recently imposed; and whether he will consider the matter with a view to placing members of the senior Service on the same footing as soldiers in respect of their correspondence?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. lllingworth)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions. Letters addressed to His Majesty's ships in home waters are prepayable at the rate of 1d. for letters not exceeding 1 oz.,1…d. for letters not exceeding 4 ozs., and thereafter at the inland rate. Letters addressed to His Majesty's ships in foreign waters and to soldiers abroad are prepayable at the rate of 1d. per oz. The additional charge imposed as from the 3rd instant upon ordinary inland letters does not, therefore, apply to letters to His Majesty's ships. It is not the case that soldiers generally are exempted from postage upon letters sent by them. The exemption only applies to soldiers serving with the expeditionary forces abroad. I regret that I am unable to extend the concession of free postage to sailors in view of the numerous claims for similar treatment which such a concession would involve. I may add that one of the reasons for granting free postage to troops belonging to the expeditionary forces was the difficulty of obtaining postage stamps in the theatres of war. This difficulty rarely applies to sailors on His Majesty's ships, and if by way of exception it does apply arrangements are made to deliver without charge.

Sir F. HALL

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it fair to the sailor who is on active service, and exposed to all privations when he is afloat, to be handicapped in such a way as regards postage while the soldier, quite rightly, has got his postage free?

Mr. ROWLANDS

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the justice of extending to sailors the same privilege as is given to soldiers while they are on service, seeing that communications between relatives are much more frequent during the War?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

That point is being considered.

Mr. HOGGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how the General Post Office knows whether a sailor is in home waters or in foreign waters, as no communication can go to him except it is addressed through the General Post Office?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

I do know, but I am afraid that I cannot answer the question.

Sir F. HALL

I will repeat the question on this day week.