HC Deb 12 December 1950 vol 482 cc973-6
35. Brigadier Smyth

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he proposes to take to improve the present arrangements for letters and telegrams between our troops in Korea and their relatives at home.

36. Mr. Ian Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers in the Middlesex Regiment are experiencing considerable delays in the receipt of their letters on the Korean front; and whether it is possible to improve this service.

Mr. Strachey

Air mail between this country and Korea is being despatched by every available means. Telegrams are sent by wireless and cable to Japan and then to Korea with the mails. In active operations it is not always possible to avoid some delay in delivery of both mails and telegrams, but all practicable steps will continue to be taken to deliver them as quickly as possible.

Brigadier Smyth

Does not the Minister realise that there have been a great many complaints about undue delays in cables and letters, and that, in view of the comparatively small number of British troops involved, there should be no excuse for not having an absolutely first-rate cable and letter service? Will the Minister give it additional attention?

Mr. Strachey

The matter is receiving close attention. So far, there are no direct cable facilities with Korea—cables have to go on from Japan by mail, which causes a good deal of delay—and when troops are in active operation there may be delay in the delivery to the actual man, although I think this is improving.

Mr. Ian Harvey

Does not the Minister consider that the case of eight letters written over a period of seven weeks, none of which was delivered, constitutes an unsatisfactory state of affairs?

Mr. Strachey

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me details of the case.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

Can the Minister tell us the average time taken for letters in transit from the United Kingdom to Korea?

Mr. Strachey

I could not tell the hon. and gallant Gentleman the time taken for a letter to reach the actual man.

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the system of microfilm which was used in the recent war is in operation, and, if not, will he consider reinstituting it?

Mr. Strachey

I will look into that and see what can be done.

Brigadier Head

Will the Secretary of State give the matter his personal attention? There have been many complaints, and we had the impression from the Postmaster-General that he was awaiting representations from the Service Ministers.

Mr. Strachey

We will certainly keep the matter under careful review. An Army Post Office has been established with the 29th Brigade and it will, of course, serve the 27th Brigade as well. I think that the mere fact of its establishment will help a great deal.

40. Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

asked the Secretary of State for War why the supplies of winter clothing for the 27th Brigade in Korea, asked for by the United States military authorities on 25th August, were not dispatched from the United Kingdom until 4th October.

Mr. Strachey

Owing to the loading of equipment for the 29th Brigade Group, no shipping space was available for these supplies until 4th October. But sufficient winter clothing to equip the 27th Brigade was included in the reserves for 29th Brigade Group, which arrived in Korea on 3rd and 8th November.

Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if the full winter clothing, including the reserve, was not dispatched until 4th October, it is extremely unlikely that it would arrive before the cold weather started in Korea?

Mr. Strachey

We were advised that the winter clothing had to be available by the end of November. In fact, we made it available on 3rd and 8th November, when full winter clothing for all troops was to hand in Korea. We did that about three weeks earlier than we were advised to do it in order to be on the safe side.

Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

When the right hon. Gentleman says "advised," by whom does he mean?

Mr. Strachey

We were advised by our advance party and officers in Korea studying the situation.

Brigadier Head

Is the right hon. Gentleman suggesting that policy matters, about whether clothing is required or not, are left to the discretion of the advance officers?

Mr. Strachey

I should have thought that the men on the spot in Korea were precisely the men to advise us on the proper date for winter clothing.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is common knowledge that the climate in Korea at this time of the year calls for winter clothing, whatever the advance party may advise?

Mr. Strachey

It calls for winter clothing, and winter clothing was available.

41. Mr. Low

asked the Secretary of State for War what special steps he has taken to ensure the arrival in Korea of extra equipment and reinforcements for the British troops in Korea; and whether any delay has been caused by lack of aircraft.

Mr. Strachey

Present arrangements for the support of the British forces in Korea provide for the steady supply and replenishment of ammunition, vehicles, stores and rations. In due course replenishment will be provided against demands from the theatre. Reinforcements calculated to cover the wastage of a period of intense fighting accompanied 29th Brigade Group when it sailed from the United Kingdom, and 27th Brigade have been authorised to draw on these. Practically no delay has been caused by lack of aircraft. Further reinforcements are being prepared for embarkation.

Mr. Low

The right hon. Gentleman said that practically no delay was caused. In view of the fact that the military spokesman of the right hon. Gentleman's Department announced in Tokio on 16th November that the 27th Brigade was expected back in Hong Kong, is it not clear that satisfactory arrangements were not made previously for the delivery of equipment and reinforcements for the 27th Brigade, and will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the position of the 27th Brigade is really satisfactory?

Mr. Strachey

Yes, Sir, but the change of plan for the 27th Brigade made it necessary to provide for their reinforcement as well, and that has been done. It could not be done before the change of plan was made.