§ LORD PORTSEAMy Lords, I beg to ask the Leader of the House a question of which I have given him private notice. The question is as follows: To ask His Majesty's Government whether private parcels may be sent in s.s. "Vega" on her second sailing to jersey and Guernsey; whether letters as distinct from messages of 25 words may be sent in her in either direction; and whether a collier carrying coal and other fuel will also sent to the islands.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, His Majesty's Government would have been glad if provision could have been made for the sending of private parcels, but this would have raised special difficulties and owing to the limited shipping space available they considered that the population can best be served by the dispatch of standard food parcels for general distribution. I regret that His Majesty's Government can hold out no hope of an ordinary letter service before the liberation of the islands. The question of fuel is receiving consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.
§ LORD PORTSEAMay I ask the noble Lord whether, if this ship arrives and all goes well, the service will be continued by further voyages, for the amount of food sent in her on each trip is very small compared with the number of inhabitants?
§ TEE EARL OF MUNSTERYes, that is so.