HC Deb 18 March 1941 vol 370 cc18-20
38. Mr. W. H. Green

asked the Post master-General whether he has any information regarding the non-receipt of letters by Private Haydn Hayward, British prisoner of war 20202, Llullay XXA, (2-A), Germany, since last July, although at least two each week have been sent from home since that date; and whether he will make further inquiries with a view to remedying this grievance?

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Allan Chapman)

The correct title of this camp in which Private Hayward is a prisoner of war is Stalag XXA (2A). I cannot say whether the use of the incorrect title quoted by my hon. Friend accounts for the non-receipt of letters, but I have been unable to discover any other reason. A few other cases have been brought to my notice where the inward service is working satisfactorily but none of the outward letters appear to reach the prisoner. I have initiated special inquiries in these cases and I will do the same in the case of Private Hayward.

Mr. Green

Does the hon. Member appreciate that in my own constituency quite a number of parents are suffering extreme anxiety through the reason mentioned in the Question?

Mr. Chapman

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is also very anxious that everything should be done to alleviate the lot of our prisoners of war in regard to postal matters, and if my hon. Friend will bring to my notice cases similar to that of Private Hayward, we will have special inquiries made.

Mr. Messer

May I congratulate my hon. Friend on the clearness of his enunciation, and express the hope that other Ministers will copy it?

Miss Rathbone

Can the hon. Member have provided in all post offices notices and leaflets instructing people wishing to communicate with prisoners of war abroad how they may do so, as there is very wide ignorance on the subject?

Mr. Chapman

This information can be obtained at any post office, but the hon. Lady's reference to this matter will be borne in mind.

Sir W. Davison

Have the revised leaflets giving particulars of the sending of letters and parcels now been distributed to the post offices throughout the country? There has been a great delay in letting some of the post offices have them.

Mr. Chapman

I think that is another question.

Mr. Keeling

Is my hon. Friend aware that Whitaker's Almanack contains full particulars of how to write to German prisoners in this country but not a word about how to write to British prisoners in Germany?