§ Mr. Teelingasked the Assistant Postmaster-General why air mail letters to the Philippines go via New York and San Francisco at a cost of 4s. 3d. and necessitating the use of U.S. aircraft, when they could go to Hong Kong for 1s. 3d., and the British firm, Cathay-Pacific Airways, could take the letters on for a further 6d. as they already operate between Hong Kong and Manila.
§ Mr. BurkeAir mail letters for the Philippines prepaid at the rate of 1s. 3d. a half ounce have been accepted for transmission via Hong Kong since the 30th May. The more expensive service via the U.S.A. restricted to correspondence374W specially marked by the sender for transmission by that route, was retained because, until quite recently, the correspondence routed via Hong Kong had to be conveyed between Hong Kong and the Philippines by irregular sea outlets. Air conveyance over this part of the route is now available, and the alternative service via the U.S.A. will be withdrawn as soon as it is clear that the service via Hong Kong is working satisfactorily.