HC Deb 25 March 1942 vol 378 cc2012-3W
Mr. Gallacher

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the case of correspondence addressed to Army Post Office 1625 and paid for at air-mail rates, delivery by air-mail is guaranteed; and, if not, will the difference between air-mail and ordinary postage be refunded to the sender?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

The Army Postal Service is not in a position to guarantee that correspondence addressed to an Army Post Office number will be despatched by air mail in all cases, since no air mail service may be in operation; but such correspondence, if appropriately prepaid, is forwarded by air mail whenever possible. It is the practice to arrange to refund the difference between the air and the ordinary postage rate, on production of the cover, in any case where a letter has been prepaid for, but has not received, air transmission. I appreciate that this procedure is somewhat cumbersome and I propose to consider in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, whether it is not possible to devise a system which, while complying with security requirements, is simple of operation.