HC Deb 19 January 1944 vol 396 cc161-2
33. Mr. E. P. Smith

asked the Postmaster-General the reason for the long delays in the delivery of air mails to and from this country and the U.S.A.; and whether he is satisfied that this mail, upon which air-postage has been paid, is invariably flown.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Robert Grimston)

With regard to delay in the delivery of air mails from this country to the U.S.A., I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for South Nottingham (Major Markham), to which I would add that I understand that there is also difficulty in obtaining sufficient aircraft capacity for air mails from the U.S.A. to this country, and that the United States Post Office has not only had to impose a 2 oz. limit on individual items of air mail correspondence, but to announce that even such letters will receive air transmission only in so far as sufficient aircraft accommodation may be available for mail transport.

Mr. Smith

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the air mail which I receive has on the average been 6½ weeks in transit?

Mr. Grimston

If my hon. Friend will let me have the cover of the letter, I will make inquiries into that particular case. Our troubles are first, aircraft capacity, and secondly, the fact that at this time of the year a longer route has to be flown.

Sir Granville Gibson

Can the hon. Gentleman say why mail which goes by the ordinary post between this country and the United States is quicker than that sent by air?

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Has the hon. Gentleman ever discovered why, when a Canadian Member of Parliament wishes to write to a British Member of Parliament, it takes eight weeks for the letter to arrive?

Mr. Grimston

I should be glad if the hon. Member will talk to me about that.