Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the Postmaster-General whether it is possible to expedite the mail service between London and the towns of Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels; whether he is aware that business negotiations to Belgium now take several days to reach their destination; whether he is aware that such delay in these matters is very detrimental to 869W Anglo -Belgian reconstruction programmes; whether he will consider, in conjunction with the Belgian Government, the institution of some speedier means of transit between these towns and London, with a view to reducing the time taken to not more than twenty-four hours; and whether, if necessary, he will consult the Secretary of State for Air in regard to the provision of a daily air service, weather conditions permitting?
§ Mr. ILL1NGWORTHThere are now six dispatches weekly of mails in each direction between the United Kingdomvia Dover and Ostend, and two dispatches weekly by direct boat to Antwerp. There has recently been a considerable improvement in the service, and mails dispatched from the towns in question in the morning of one day are generally delivered in London on the morning of the next day. If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with particulars of cases of delay I will have inquiry made.