§ 22. Mr. Keelingasked the Postmaster-General on how many occasions airgraph mails have been lost; and what interval has elapsed on each occasion between the destruction of the airgraphs and the completion of duplicates?
§ Captain CrookshankAirgraph mails from the United Kingdom have been lost in transit on two occasions, and airgraph mails to the United Kingdom on three occasions. The precise date of loss is not in all cases available but the interval which has elapsed between the date upon which the loss became known and the date upon which duplicate mails have been despatched has been six and seven days rgspectively in the case of mails from the United Kingdom and has varied from five to 23 days according to the country of origin in the case of mails to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. KeelingHas my right hon. and gallant Friend considered whether this interval can in the interests of the troops be reduced?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir, I do not think so, because the long interval arises in cases where the letters have been posted a long way from this country.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the idea that used to exist in the old sailing days whereby a duplicate was sent where it was desired by the sender at an interval of a week or 10 days?
§ Captain CrookshankThe whole object of the airgraph service is that duplicates 876 can be sent when necessary. In view of the shortage of aircraft for mails in general, it would not be a good plan to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.