HC Deb 01 November 1937 vol 328 cc537-9
43. Captain Plugge

asked the Postmaster-General the countries to which cheap air mail rates are to be next extended; and what will be the rate of air mail postage between the United States and this country?

Major Tryon

So far as the first part of the question is concerned, I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the carriage of first-class mail by air without the collection of a special fee, under what is called the "all-up" system. The list of countries to which this arrangement actually applies, or will apply in the near future, is so lengthy that, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In regard to the second part of the question, no decision has been reached as to the rate of air postage to be charged when air services between the United Kingdom and the United States of America become available for the carriage of mail.

Captain Plugge

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that these cheap air postal rates have been a great boon to British overseas trade; and can he hold out any hope that arrangements will be made for a regular air mail service to the United States to be started some time next summer?

Major Tryon

I should not like to give a reply in reference to the United States without further notice, but that the air postal service is of great advantage to all the countries to which it goes is an undoubted fact.

Following is the list:

(1) All first-class mail (letters, letter packets and postcards) for the undermentioned Empire countries is now dispatched by air as the normal means of transmission at a flat postage rate of a half ounce for letters, and rd. for postcards:—

Kenya. Sudan (Anglo-Egyptian).
Mauritius.
Northern Rhodesia. Tanganyika Territory.
Nyasaland. Uganda.
South Africa. Zanzibar.
Southern Rhodesia.

(2) It is expected that similar arrangements will be extended to the following Empire countries and mandated territories, and to Egypt, during the course of 1938:

Aden. Sarawak.
Australia. Seychelles.
Burma. Straits Settlements.
Ceylon.
Fiji. Western Pacific Islands:
Hong Kong.
India. Solomon Islands.
Malay States.
Malta. Gilbert and Ellice Islands.
New Zealand.
North Borneo.
Palestine and Transjordan. Tonga.
New Hebrides.
(3) First-class mail for the undermentioned European countries prepaid at the ordinary international postage rates, namely, letters, 2½d. for the first ounce and 1½d. for each additional ounce. Postcards 1½d., is, so far as possible, conveyed by air or surface transport whichever affords the quicker delivery.

Austria. Italy.
Belgium. Latvia.
Bulgaria. Lithuania.
Czechoslovakia. Norway.
Danzig. Poland.
Denmark. Roumania.
Estonia. Sweden.
Finland. Switzerland.
France. Turkey.
Germany. U.S.S.R.
Greece. (Europe).
Holland. Yugoslavia.
Hungary.