§ 75. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that air mails from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong take 10 to 14 days, and that surface mail posted in London between 12th August—15th September, 1948, was received in Hong Kong on 17th November; if he will state the reasons for these delays; and what steps he is taking to bring about improvements.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI much regret that there has been appreciable delay recently in both the air and surface mail services to Hong Kong. The twice weekly air mail despatches are scheduled to reach Hong Kong in six days, but accidental delays to aircraft en route have on occasions caused this time to be appreciably exceeded. I am in constant touch with my noble Friend, the Minister of56W Civil Aviation, on the question of improving and accelerating the air mail services generally. The surface mails to which the hon. and gallant Member refers were forwarded via the U.S.A. and were delayed by a strike on the Pacific Coast.