§ 42. Major GLYNasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the length of time taken for letters, and more especially parcels and postal packages, to be delivered in Malta; whether he will consult with the French and Italian postal authorities with the object of improving this service, considering the large number of British naval, military, and air forces resident in the island; and what are the average lengths of time that transpire for letters and parcels, respectively, to go to and come from Malta and London, and how do these times compare with those of 1912–13?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAs the answer is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The letter mail service to Malta is practically the same as before the War. There is a daily packet service between Syracuse and Malta except on one day of the week in each direction, and the time taken in transmission is under four days in each direction except when there is a wait of a day. The difference in timing now as compared with 1912–13 is a matter of hours.
§ The parcel mails for Malta were, before the War, despatched both by sea direct and via France and Italy, the times of transmission between Malta and this country by the two routes being 10 to 14 days and seven days respectively. The overland service has not been resumed since the War as the transmission of parcel mails across France is now much slower than it used to be, and the saving in time would be too small to justify the extra cost. The question of accelerating the transmission of parcels across France has recently been discussed with the French Post Office, but at the moment no improvement, can be afforded. The time of transmission and the frequency of the despatches by the sea route are about the same as before the War.