§ 3. Mr. GILBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the mail time for letters to and from London to Bombay pre-War, in 1914, and this year; what is the cause of the present longer period, and what times are fixed in the Indian mail contracts; and whether, in view of the importance of a quicker service to Eastern commerce, anything will be done to re-establish the quicker mail times between London and India which existed in pre-War times?
§ Major BARNSTON (Comptroller of the Household)My hon. Friend the Postmaster-General has been asked to reply. The contract time for the mails from London to Bombay in 1914 was 13½ days; the present time of transit is 14½ days. The mails are now sent overland through France and are embarked at Marseilles, while formerly they were sent by Brindisi; and the extra time taken is mainly due to the longer sea journey. The importance of a fast mail service to India and the Far East is fully realised, and the question of an acceleration of the present service is engaging my attention.