§ 39. Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford Foxasked the Assistant Postmaster-General to what extent air-mail of Government Departments for East Africa is sent by the weekly Springbok service; and whether arrangements can now be made to give urgent business and Press air-mail the same privilege as Government air-mail and to arrange that, in return for a suitable premium, it will be carried definitely by the Springbok service if made available to British Overseas Airwaysheadquarters by a specified time on a specified day of the week.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Burke)Air-mail correspondence for East Africa posted by Government Departments is not given preferential treatment in the post, but is forwarded, together with other air-mail correspondence, by the Sprinkbok service, which now operates twice weekly, to the extent that this service offers advantage over other, and more frequent, a, services. It is not proposed to introduce arrangements of the kind suggested in the latter part of the Question, but certain types of Press material may be sent outside postal channels, and it is open to the senders to make arrangements directly with the air operators for the carriage of such material.
§ Sir G. FoxWhy cannot the Post Office make the necessary arrangements?
§ Mr. BurkeOur arrangements are concerned only with the carriage of correspondence and letters. This is an arrangement for other materials.