HC Deb 14 June 1937 vol 325 cc17-8
33. Sir Arthur Salter

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider reverting to the former practice of his Department of forwarding letters to the United States of America by the earliest and quickest ship, so that the sender will not be required, as at present, to search the shipping lists and state the ship by which he wishes his letter to go unless he is prepared to risk a considerable unnecessary delay in its delivery?

The Postmaster-General (Major Tryon)

I think the hon. Member is under some misapprehension. Much freer use than formerly is now being made of sailings on the North Atlantic for the despatch to the United States of mails not marked for conveyance by any particular ship. During a recent period of 12 months over 150 such despatches were actually made, whereas less than too would have been made under arrangements in force prior to 1936.

Sir A. Salter

Do I understand that the earliest and quickest ship is always used?

Major Tryon

I cannot give the whole complicated arrangement, but the fact is that, having got a contract with our own people, we prefer to send them in our own ships; but where there is a considerable loss of time after the Wednesday, we then send by the best ship to get them across the Atlantic.

Sir A. Salter

Does not the Postmaster-General think that it represents some-distortion of values to treat a letter primarily, not as a message to be delivered, but as a package on which to earn freight?

Major Tryon

I think we ought to have some regard for the interests of British shipping.