§ 8. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he has made to ensure the swift passage of mail to and from soldiers serving in Cyprus; and what concessionary charges are available.
§ Mr. HeadAdvantage is taken of all available air and land routes between this country and Cyprus. Forces concessionary postage rates, as set out in a Written Answer given on 17th February, 1955, by the then Minister of Defence to the hon. Member for the Wrekin (Mr. I. O. Thomas) are available.
§ Mr. SwinglerAre not these concessions miserably meagre? Is it not a fact that the wives and mothers of men serving in Cyprus have to pay 6d. for an airmail letter, particularly as it takes some 20 days for the mail to go by sea? Is it not also a fact that they have to pay the full civilian rates to send parcels by airmail? Surely, we can offer some better service to the men serving in this disagreeable situation?
§ Mr. HeadNo, Sir; the airmail letter, first-class, is 2½d. From the men or from their families at home; over the first one 7 and a half ounces, the cost is 6d. We are spending £1¼ million a year on these concessions, and I do not think they are unfair so far as Cyprus is concerned.