§ 73. Sir A. Southbyasked the first Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to complaints from officers and men serving in His Majesty's ships and in merchant ships regarding receipt of mails; and whether any maritime mail service exists comparable to the Army postal service.
§ Captain PilkingtonMy right hon. Friend is aware that the difficulties which were experienced in the early stages of the current Continental operations caused delay in the receipt of mails by Naval personnel serving overseas. Energetic steps were at once taken to improve matters with satisfactory results. The delay is only now making itself felt on the more distant stations, but it will be transitory. Owing to the widely different circumstances for which it has to cater the Naval mail system is not in any way comparable with the Army Postal Service. My right hon. Friend is, however, satisfied that the present system is sound in principle, though we are continually seeking to make improvements in practice. Mails for the Merchant Navy are a matter for my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport.
§ Sir A. SouthbyIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the complaints are not only due to delays in the mails where operations are actually taking place? It is world-wide. Is he not aware that there is general dissatisfaction in the Navy at the way their mails are dealt with; and is there any reason why their service should not be at least as efficient as the mail service in the Army?
§ Captain PilkingtonI cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's statement that there is general dissatisfaction. When he says that dissatisfaction is felt in areas where operations have not been taking place, he will realise that operational areas affect the wider areas.
§ Sir A. SouthbyIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.