HC Deb 26 April 1944 vol 399 cc772-4
59. Mr. Murray

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that men serving in the Merchant Navy have no air mail allowance when they are at sea and, on reaching port, may receive up to six letters, but if they are only in port for one week they have only one air-letter allowance; and if he will consider giving these men the same facilities as the men in the Forces, who are allowed five air-letters a month.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)

When a merchant ship arrives at a port in any area from which the air-letter service is available, each member of the crew immediately receives a form. While the ship remains in port, he receives further forms at the same rate as members of His Majesty's Forces, that is to say, at the rate of six forms in four weeks. I have received no complaints that this arrangement is unfair to the Merchant Navy, but I have given instructions that the question shall be considered again.

Mr. Murray

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have already been informed that when these men come into port, they are only allowed one form, even if they are away five or six weeks?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Yes, Sir, I am aware that time at sea is not counted for the issue of forms, and that is the point which I am having re-examined.

Mr. Murray

Cannot these men have other forms issued to them, so that they are put on the same footing as men in the Forces?

Mr. Noel-Baker

That is what I am looking into now.

60. Mr. Murray

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that men serving in the Merchant Navy left this country in June, 1943, and did not receive any mail until December, 1943, and some not until February, 1944; and if he will take steps to remove the anxiety of these men, their wives and families, by having their letters despatched as early as possible, so that they will receive them in reasonable time.

Mr. Noel-Baker

As I said last week in answer to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish), I have made constant endeavours, in consultation with my right hon. and gallant Friend, the Postmaster-General, to improve the mail services to members of the Merchant Navy. If my hon. Friend will give me details of any specific complaint which he may have received, I shall be happy to look into it.

Mr. Murray

I should be very glad to do so, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have cases now where men have received letters, posted in June, only in December of the same year, and some not until February of the next year?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Yes, Sir. I am sure such cases occur because ships have to be moved about in accordance with operational requirements, and the letters follow the ships. We do the best we can but it is very difficult.

Mr. Murray

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the men concerned knew where they were going before they went away, and still they did not receive any letters from June to December?

Mr. Noel-Baker

It does not usually happen, if a ship follows its allotted programme, that the letters do not arrive fairly quickly.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

In view of all the grave handicaps, is it not a fact that all mails have got through far better than we could have hoped?