HC Deb 04 July 1944 vol 401 cc987-8
16. Mr Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that mail and newspapers for the troops in Normandy take on average six days to arrive from England; and whether he can now effect speedier deliveries.

Sir J. Grigg

Mails and newspapers are being despatched from this country and distributed to our troops in Normandy as quickly as operational conditions and the weather in the Channel will allow.

Mr. Bellenger

Now that we have captured the port of Cherbourg, will the right hon. Gentleman see that mails and newspapers are delivered quickly to the troops, as these things are almost as important as some of their rations and ammunition?

Sir J. Grigg

I should have thought that six days was pretty good, under present conditions.

Mr. Bellenger

Is the Minister aware that the troops do not think so?

Sir J. Grigg

My information is to the contrary.

Sir H. Williams

If it was possible to take the Minister of Information there in three hours, might not the information itself be sent there nearly as quickly?

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that I was speaking to the mother of one of these lads yesterday, and was informed that six letters had been sent to him and that in the third letter which came from him yesterday, covering a period of three weeks, he said that he had not received one of those letters?

Sir J. Grigg

I am prepared to believe that accidents have happened. A very large number of troops are involved, and an occasional accident is not entirely impossible. All I say is that, on the whole, the service is extremely good.