HC Deb 11 June 1952 vol 502 cc177-8
6. Mrs. White

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty in what circumstances no mail was delivered to H.M.S. "Burghead Bay" on 2nd May, 1952, when this ship called at Bahia, on returning from a long tour, mainly in the Antarctic.

Commander Noble

I regret that, due primarily to the use of the name "San Salvador," without any qualification, mail for Her Majesty's ship "Burghead Bay," which should have been delivered to the ship on 2nd May was sent to San Salvador in the Republic of Salvador, instead of to Bahia, Brazil—which is often called San Salvador, a slight corruption of its old name. I am advised that the missing mail has since reached the ship.

Mrs. White

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in spite of the original confusion to which he has confessed, the mail nevertheless reached the correct port four hours before the ship sailed; and is it not therefore most regrettable, as the mail was in the town, that it was not delivered to the ship?

Commander Noble

I will certainly go into that point. The Admiralty attach very great importance to mail being delivered on every possible occasion.