14. Sir Basil Neven-Speneeasked the Assistant Postmaster-General why it takes up to two months for British newspapers and other material despatched by surface mail to reach Malaya, although ships make the voyage in 18 to 22 days.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Burke)Surface mails for Malaya are sent by direct ship to Singapore, or via Bombay if that route offers advantage. The voyage to Singapore takes from 25 to 47 days, the average being 35 days, and to Bombay from 15 to 25 days, the average being 20 days. To the sailing times must be added the interval between sailings and over the route via Bombay also the interval between sailings from India. I am glad to say that the number of direct sailings to Singapore has recently increased, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that no opportunity will be neglected to improve the service.
§ Sir Stanley ReedIs it impossible to have some greater regularity in these despatches, because mail at the present time comes to this country in huge batches, and then there is a big gap?
§ Mr. BurkeThe position is improving. We tried the Bombay route in order to bridge the gap, but we have to depend on the space allotted to us.