§ 36. Mr. Francis Wattasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the airgraph service to the British Forces in Italy is unduly slow and that dissatisfaction exists among the Services there regarding it; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the position.
Mr. GrimstonThere are frequent despatches of airgraph mails to the Forces in Italy and the average overall time of transmission from the date of posting in this country to arrival at the appropriate Base in Italy is 11 days. One reason why the service concerned is not quicker is that airgraphs for Italy have at present to travel via North Africa in order to be developed in the photographic station at Algiers. Arrangements have been made for a similar station to be set up in Italy as soon as the military authorities are ready for this to be done and I hope that this will result in some improvement in the time of transmission. The speed and regularity of the troop mail is the constant concern of my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. WattWhile I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, is he aware that these messages frequently take as much as a fortnight or three weeks in going to Italy or coming from Italy? Will he do his very best to improve this service?
Mr. GrimstonYes, Sir. I would remind my hon. Friend that the time I have mentioned is from here to the base post office in Italy and that sometimes serious delays may occur in transmitting mail from the base to the unit in the front line.