HL Deb 29 July 1947 vol 151 cc607-8
EARL MANVERS

My Lords, I beg to ask the question which stands in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware that parcels posted in Gibraltar are (probably owing to Custom House detention) taking over two months to reach destinations in this country; and whether anything can be done to prevent such delay which gives rise to fear of theft.]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)

My Lords, the dispatches of mail from Gibraltar are made at irregular intervals, and there have been occasions during the past three months when the interval has been as much as thirteen to seventeen days. The time of transit, which depends on the speed of the ship, has varied in the same period from six to twenty-five days. There has, in addition, been some unavoidable delay in clearing the parcels through the Customs. The latest returns, however, show a distinct improvement in the service, with an average time between posting and delivery of three to four weeks.

EARL HOWE

May I ask the noble Earl whether I am to understand from his answer that it really takes a matter of twenty-five days for a ship to steam 1,600 miles?

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

That was not exactly what I said. What I said was that the time varied, according to the speed of the ship, between six days and twenty-five days; that is to say, under a week or just over three weeks.

EARL MANVERS

Do I understand the noble Earl to say that there has been no delay in the Custom House?

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

No. I am afraid it may have been difficult for the noble Earl to hear my reply clearly. There was a certain amount of movement in the Chamber when I began speaking, and possibly parts of what I said were inaudible to him. I did say that there has been some unavoidable delay owing to shortage of manpower—which I am sure the noble Earl appreciates—in clearing parcels through the Customs. I can assure the noble Earl that every effort will be made by the Post Office to minimize the interval between dispatch and delivery.

EARL HOWE

Does it really take twenty-one days for a ship to steam the 1,600 miles from Gibraltar? If it does, then surely there must be something wrong with the ship?

LORD GIFFORD

On a quick calculation its average speed would be about three knots.

EARL MANVERS

I should like to thank the noble Earl very much for his courteous reply.

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