HC Deb 04 June 1947 vol 438 cc200-1
68. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Postmaster-General why members of His Majesty's Forces serving in Singapore now have to pay full postage rates on all letters sent home; and if he will make a statement.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. Wilfred Paling)

The postage rates on letters from the Forces in Singapore are fixed by the local administration which is now responsible for the postal service from the Forces in its territory. I understand that letters from the Forces in Singapore not exceeding one ounce in weight are despatched to the United Kingdom by air for 1½d. This is the air postage rate for letters of this weight from the Forces now in force in most areas overseas, and is much cheaper that the rates charged on similar letters from civilians. The Singapore administration requires payment at the ordinary postage rates on all letters dispatched by surface means.

Mr. W. J. Brown

In. view of the fact that we are making about £36 million a year out of the Post Office, can the Minister say when we are going to recapture the old maxim of production for use and not for profit?