HC Deb 24 February 1948 vol 447 cc1742-3
4. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some men serving in Malaya who have been away for over nine weeks, have not yet received their mail; and whether he will account for this delay and take action to speed these air mails up.

Mr. Shinwell

I am aware that some men recently drafted to Malaya have found their mail delayed through their using a postal address different from the one they were given. Further instructions will, if necessary, be issued to ensure that the correct address is used.

Mr. Marshall

Is the Minister aware that this matter is causing some distress, and will he look more thoroughly into it? The information I have received is that it is not just a question of address, but that the mails are not arriving.

Mr. Shinwell

As it happens, the men were given the correct address, but some of them ignored it and gave the name of the ship on which they sailed. That led to delay.