HC Deb 20 July 1944 vol 402 cc352-3
63. Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the dissatisfaction caused by the delay in issuing Post Office numbers to units in France, he will remedy this so that senders can take advantage of customs rebates and postal charge reductions for letters and parcels to Service personnel.

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brighton (Flight-Lieutenant Teeling) on 13th July in which I said that the address of the troops in Nor- mandy is British Liberation Army. My hon. and gallant Friend's object is thereby being achieved.

Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that the troops in Normandy are informing their parents that their address is British Western Force? Is he also aware that there is considerable delay because the troops are not being allowed to inform their parents of their units?

Mr. Henderson

I should want notice of the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question. As regards the first part, whatever may be the information that was originally given in a statement made by a journalist, the position none the less remains that the postal address of the Forces in Normandy is as I have indicated in my reply.

Mr. Driberg

But is my hon. and learned Friend aware that the men themselves have written home stating that their address is B.W.E.F.? Is it not evident that those instructions were given out in the units?

Mr. Henderson

That may be. I can say, however, that any letters which have been addressed to B.W.E.F. will be delivered.