HC Deb 11 October 1939 vol 352 cc340-1
74. Mr. David Adams

asked the Postmaster-General what Empire air mails are now operating; whether he is aware that the value of air travel is practically non-existent owing to the delays; and what is the approximate time reckoned by his Department that air mails to Palestine, India, East and South Africa and Australia now take compared with the time taken in pre-war days?

Mr. Mabane

Two air mail services a week operate to East Africa, Palestine, India, Burma, Hong Kong, Malaya and Australia, and one service a week to South Africa, West Africa and Malta. Quite contrary to the suggestion in the second part of the question there is every evidence that the continued operation of the air mail services is highly appreciated; the scheduled approximate flying times, namely, 3 days to Palestine, 4 days to Karachi, 5 days to Calcutta, 11 days to Australia, 4 days to East Africa and 6 days to South Africa, are in each case about two days more than before the war.

Mr. Adams

Can the Minister confirm the statement which is emanating from prominent business circles that no letters have been received by sea from India since the middle of August?

Mr. Mabane

No, Sir. Certainly, I cannot confirm that statement. The question relates to air mails, which is a different matter.

Sir Stanley Reed

Is there not conclusive evidence that a very large number of letters have been received from India regularly since the outbreak of war?

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