43. Vice-Admiral Taylorasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to improve the efficiency of the naval mail service, he will consider the appointment of an expert co-ordinating authority comparable to the Director of Army Postal Services.
Mr. AlexanderI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers given to the hon. and gallant Member for Epsom (Sir A. Southby) on 27th September, 1944, and 24th January, 1945. The arrangements for the transmission of naval mails are superintended within the Admiralty by the Fourth Sea Lord, who is assisted in this work by a senior naval officer and staff specially appointed for this purpose.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs my right hon. Friend not aware that there are still avoidable delays in the delivery of mail to ships abroad; and is it not necessary to have one expert co-ordinating officer at the head of the Fleet mail service, instead of having the present divided control?
Mr. AlexanderThe Fourth Sea Lord has the assistance of a senior naval officer, who has personal experience all over the world in this matter, and he is generally assisted by two Post Office officials, attached to his staff.