HC Deb 19 November 1947 vol 444 cc1133-5
43. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Postmaster-General why he recently increased the postage on air mail to Palestine; and whether he will reduce it from 6d., as this causes hardship to families of men in the Forces serving there.

78. Mr. D. Marshall

asked the Postmaster-General what are the reasons for the recent increase in the postage on correspondence sent by air to members of the Forces overseas; and what are the present rates for surface and air transmission, respectively.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

I appreciate the opportunity thus given me of dealing with a subject which has become a little confused. The recent increase in the postage rate for air conveyance to the Forces overseas followed a Government decision that the war-time arrangement of despatching ordinary letters up to one ounce prepaid 1½d. by air could no longer be justified, and that the charges for air conveyance must be raised to a level more in keeping with the cost. The 2½d. lightweight "Forces Letter," on the form obtainable from any post office, is available for transmission by air to all Forces to which an air service operates. I regret I can hold out no present hope of reduction in these rates. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a full statement of the air and surface letter rates of postage to the various Forces overseas.

Mr. H. Hynd

As Palestine is still an active service area, could not the Postmaster-General give a special dispensation for that area?

Mr. Paling

I have just said that all this matter was discussed by the Government and we came to the conclusion that we must put it up in some respects, but the lightweight "Forces Letter" still remains and only costs 2½d.

Mr. Marshall

Is the Minister aware of the confusion that has arisen with regard to the statement which he made, and will he make every endeavour to give great publicity to the statement he has made this afternoon?

Mr. Paling

I quite agree that this is not as widely known as we would like it to be. We did take the usual steps at the time when we made this change, but a large number of people still do not know about it. I hope that the Question and answer this afternoon will help in that direction.

Mr. Stokes

If I put down a question, will my right hon. Friend tell the House what it works out at per ton of air letters, and whether he is aware that the profit is perfectly fantastic?

Force Services available and rates of postage
(A)
H.M. Forces in Europe (except British Element Trieste Force), including: Surface Route
Letters
not exceeding 1 ounce 1½d.
each additional ounce 1d.
Central Mediterranean Force (C.M.F.) Postcards 1d.
Malta Force Air Mail
Light weight "Forces Letters" 2½d.
Letters
not exceeding 1 ounce 5d. Air mail label should be affixed
exceeding 1 oucne but not exceeding 1½ ounces 6d.
exceeding 1½ ounces but not exceeding 2 ounces 8d.
for each additional ounce 3d.
Postcards 2½d.
(B)
British Element, Trieste Force Surface route only
Letters
not exceeding 1 ounce 1½d.
each additional ounce 1d.
Postcards 1d.
Note: No air service offering advantage over surface transmission is available.
(C)
H.M. Forces outside Europe; and Surface route
Letters
Palestine Police Force not exceeding 1 ounce 1½d.
each additional ounce 1d.
Postcards 1d.
Air Mail
Lightweight "Forces Letters" 2½d.
Letters
not exceeding 1½ ounces 6d. Air mail label should be affixed
each additional half ounce 6d.
Postcards 3d.
(D)
H.M. Ships Surface route
c/o G.P.O., London. Letters
not exceeding 1 ounce 1½d.
each additional ounce 1d.
Postcards 1d.
Air Mail
Lightweight "Forces Letters" 2½d.
Letters
not exceeding 1½ ounces 6d. Air mail label should be affixed
each additional half ounce 6d.
Postcards 3d.
(or at the rates for H.M. Forces in Europe shown in (A) above if the sender knows the addressee to be serving in Europe or in a ship based on a European port).