§ Sir Smedley Crookeasked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability of reducing the cost of postage on letters sent by ordinary mail and on air mail by those serving in His Majesty's Forces overseas, especially those in the Middle East, as the present charges are too costly for the men to keep in touch with their relatives and friends at home?
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§ Captain WaterhouseFree postage is already accorded to letters not exceeding two ounces in weight posted by His Majesty's Forces in France. The postage on letters from His Majesty's Forces in other countries overseas where no actual war operations are in progress are in general the same as for letters posted by civilians in the same country. I regret that I do not feel able to approach the foreign and overseas postal authorities concerned with a suggestion for the reduction in the rates charged in those cases. I regret also that owing to the restricted aircraft accommodation available for the conveyance of mails on the Empire air routes I am unable to offer any reduction in the charge for air transmission by these services.