HC Deb 11 February 1942 vol 377 cc1512-3
29. Mr. Tinker

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the charge of 1s. 3d. per half-ounce in weight of letters by air postage to His Majesty's forces in the Far East is a heavy charge and difficult to meet; and will he consider allowing every serving man there to have one free letter a month as this would give much satisfaction to our men out there?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

As regards the first part of the Question, the air postage on air mail letters from members of His Majesty's Forces in the Far East to this country is payable in local currency and it approximates to the rate of 1s. 3d. a half-ounce for air mail letters sent from this country to the Far East. The charge is admittedly high, but it was necessary to fix it at a high level so as to keep the loads within the limited aircraft capacity available for mails. As regards the second part of the Question, members of the Forces in the Far East are allowed to send letters home free of charge by surface mail without restriction as to number; they may also send home each week by air mail one light-weight letter-card for which the postage in local currency is approximately 3d. After consulting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, I regret that I cannot see my way to provide free air mail facilities, even to the limited extent which the hon. Member suggests.

Mr. Tinker

Could not the right hon. Gentleman make some concession, because we must remember that these men are a long way from home, not at their own wish, and something ought to be done to help them in their trouble? I am asking only for some slight concession in some way to show that we feel for them.

Mr. Morrison

I agree with my hon. Friend in asking that everything possible should be done in providing facilities for communications for these men, but what limits any action on my part is the aeroplane capacity which is available. There is no advantage to be gained by encouraging air-mail load which, in fact, cannot be carried by air.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Does the concession with regard to the free service from the East, apply also to troops in India?

Mr. Morrison

I must have notice of that question but I rather think that the troops in India are under a different condition.

Mr. Hall

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider extending it to India?

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman feel—

Mr. Speaker

We really must get on.