HC Deb 12 June 1918 vol 106 cc2179-80
13. Sir. F. HALL

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any representations have been made by the Board of Admiralty, either to the War Cabinet, the Treasury, or the Post Office concerning the disadvantage which men in the Navy suffer in consequence of their being required to bear the cost of letters which they may send to their relatives and friends; and, if so, what were the reasons adduced for penalising men in the Navy in this manner?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Yes, Sir; with the result that the penny rate still applies to letters written by sailors from any ship in the Navy, whether in home waters or abroad, and from any foreign depot. Letters written from home depots and home depot ships have to pay the new l½d. rate. Compared with the Army postage rates, this arrangement leaves the balance in favour of the Navy, compared with the Army at home; but, on the other hand, against the Navy, compared with the Army abroad.

Mr. HOGGE

Can my right hon. Friend tell us how those of us who have friends in the Navy can determine when a ship is in or out of home waters, seeing that all letters must go "care of the G.P.O."?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I observe that my hon. Friend asked that question of the Postmaster-General on the 3rd June. I assume the General Post Office have a confidential statement from us to enable them to determine where the ships are.

Mr. ROWLANDS

Do the Admiralty really intend to make representations with a view to putting sailors on active service on an absolute equality with the soldiers?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As regards the sailor in foreign depots, he is in the same position. But remember that the soldier abroad on garrison duty has to pay his 1d. It is the soldier with the British Expeditionary Force who can send letters home free, and if the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Postmaster-General are prepared to agree to that I cannot imagine the Board of Admiralty raising any objection.

Commander BELLAIRS

Have the Board of Admiralty addressed any representations to the Postmaster-General and the Treasury asking for sailors to be put on an equal footing with members of the other Service?

Dr. MACNAMARA

No. When the new rates were proposed we did make representations for the claims of sailors to be recognised, but, as to the rest, I will put before the Board the opinion expressed by hon. Members that the sailor should be in exactly the same position as a member of the British Expeditionary Force.

Sir F. HALL

Will the right hon. Gentleman press that without any further delay?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have just said I will bring the matter before the Board.

General Sir IVOR PHILIPPS

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will do that without pressure from this House.