§ 41. Miss Burtonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he is in a position to make a statement concerning the postage of Christmas parcels to men serving in Korea; and whether, in recognition of the men out there and their families at home, he will recommend that for the month of December only all parcels up to 3 lbs. in weight shall be carried free by air mail.
§ 42. Sir Edward Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether any concession can be made on the postage of Christmas parcels sent to officers and other ranks serving in Korea.
§ Mr. BirchAs in the previous three years, one Christmas parcel of not more than 3 lb. will be accepted for conveyance by air, free of postage, to each member of our Forces in Korea and Japan, and to those men who were sent to Malaya after 5th November (which was the last day for posting parcels to that country by surface route). Parcels must be handed in at Post Offices between 23rd November and 8th December for Korea and Japan, and between 23rd November and 14th December for Malaya.
I will circulate full particulars of the scheme in the OFFICIAL REPORT. An announcement to the public, giving the same information will also be made today through the Press and the B.B.C. Her Majesty's Government regret that they cannot agree to the hon. Lady's suggestion for unlimited free air-parcels throughout December.
§ Miss BurtonWhile being glad that the Government are able to follow the example set by the Labour Government in letting one parcel go free to the men in Korea, may I ask whether the Parliamentary Secretary would not agree that this is not enough? Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that it would cost very little more to make this additional concession for the month of December only, and would he not further agree that if hon. Members of this House had to spend Christmas in Korea they at least would want more than one parcel sent to them?
§ Mr. BirchAs the hon. Lady knows, this concession costs about £58,000. It is anybody's guess, but the cost would be multiplied probably several times if her suggestion were accepted. As far as surface mails are concerned, a 3 lb. parcel can be sent to the Forces anywhere for 1s.3d.
Brigadier ClarkeWill my hon. Friend confirm that the N.A.A.F.I. parcels scheme is still in operation?
§ Miss BurtonMight I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he is aware that the parcels going by the surface route are of no use because they take a minimum of six weeks? Might I ask him one further question? Does he believe that the British public would have no objection to further subsidising the cost of air parcels to the men in Korea?
§ Mr. BirchWhen I was in the Forces I do not think I considered a parcel valueless because it had taken six weeks to arrive.
§ Mr. LoganIs it possible for the Minister to make arrangements to have a notice in the post offices with regard to this important circular?
§ Following are the particulars: