§ 20. Major Vernonasked the Assistant Postmaster-General why postal communication with the U.S.S.R. is so slow.
§ Mr. BurkeThe mail service to the U.S.S.R. is, so far as I am aware, reasonably satisfactory. Air and surface mails are despatched from this country daily via Prague and Berlin respectively and should occupy about four and seven days in transmission to Moscow. The incoming surface mails from the U.S.S.R. take about seven days to reach this country. No inward air mails have been received from the U.S.S.R. since the Berlin route was adopted for surface mails in April last, but proposals have been made to the U.S.S.R. postal authorities for the exchange of air mails via Berlin. Their reply is awaited.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteHas the hon. Gentleman received any complaints regarding this matter from the hon. Gentleman the Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher)?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is another matter.
§ Mr. GallacherThey call me on the telephone.