§ Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the important post-war plans now being negotiated between this country and America, he can expedite mail facilities and reduce the time taken by the censor's department.
§ Captain CrookshankFull advantage is taken of all available opportunities for the despatch of air and surface mails to the 241W United States of America. I assume that the hon. Member has air mails principally in mind and transatlantic air services are, of course, liable to interruption by weather conditions, particularly during winter: this is reflected in irregularity and delay in the transmission of the mails. The question of censorship is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information.
§ Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Minister of Information if he is aware that the time taken by the censor's department for U.S.A. mails is much longer than the time required for transmission; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce this loss of time, in view of the important post-war trade negotiations now proceeding.
§ Mr. BrackenPerhaps the hon. Member would let me have the details of any case he has in mind. According to my information most letters addressed to the United States are returned to the General Post Office by the Censorship within a day. Letters arriving from the United States are sometimes delayed for longer periods, but this is mainly due to irregularity in times of arrival.