70. Major Vyvyan Adamsasked the Postmaster-General whether he has any progress to report about his efforts to institute free air-mail for next-of-kin between Lisbon and British prisoners-of- war in Germany, by which many weeks' time in delivery would be saved?
Mr. ChapmanI am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for this opportunity of repeating what my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General has recently announced in the Press—that agreement has been reached, through the good offices of the American Government, for the use, free of charge, of the German air service between Lisbon and Germany for correspondence between British prisoners-of-war and civilian internees in Germany 486 and their friends and relations in this country. In conjunction with air transmission between Lisbon and this country, which is already available, the further facility provides the quickest service possible. The facility is not restricted to next-of-kin. My right hon. Friend has considered very carefully the possibility of a free outward air-mail service, but has regretfully come to the conclusion that this is not practicable on account of aircraft capacity. It could at best only be introduced with a severe system of rationing which would be most difficult to apply, and which would bear hardly on those who have a particular interest in a prisoner but are not next-of-kin. I am glad to add that my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to issue a light-weight air letter card for use in writing to British prisoners-of-war. By this means it will be possible to reduce the air mail fee.
Major AdamsIs my hon. Friend aware that these facilities will be very greatly valued, and may I ask him further whether he will reconsider the possibility of granting free outward mail once a week or once a month to one interested person in each case?
Mr. ChapmanAs I have stated in the original answer, my right hon. Friend was very sympathetic to the whole idea, but on examination found that to arrange for a rationing to next-of-kin, even on a weekly or a monthly basis, as suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend, would be so complicated and difficult that it might possibly defeat itself. Besides, it would rule out many who also have very good cause to communicate with prisoners-of-war—possibly even more right than next-of-kin—such as a man's fiancée, who is not yet his next-of-kin, but who certainly has a good right to communicate with him.
Major AdamsWill my hon. Friend at least assure me that the door is not finally shut to this desirable improvement?
§ Brigadier-General Clifton BrownIn view of the fact that many prisoners-of-war are on the Polish border, would it not be possible to arrange for mails to go more quickly through Moscow?