HC Deb 25 February 1943 vol 387 cc316-7W
Sir A. Knox

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can account for the irregularity in the receipt of airgraphs by members of the Forces in India, two airgraphs for instance dated in England 30th October and 22nd November, 1942, being delivered together in Karachi on the 24th December?

Mr. Grimston

Airgraph letters addressed to members of H.M. Forces in India are despatched at frequent intervals and by the most expeditious air route available on each occasion. The times of transmission of the films to India vary but the present average is approximately two and a half weeks. This excludes the time required for processing at each end, the interval between posting and departure of the aircraft, and the time, depending on the location of the addressee, required to effect delivery. I cannot account for the delay which occurred in delivery of the first of the two letters to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers but if he can let me have the letter or give me further particulars, I will have inquiry made.

Sir R. Gower

asked the Postmaster-General why airmails dated September from India have just been delivered in this country, thus taking nearly 20 weeks for the journey?

Captain Crookshank

Owing to the shortage of aircraft capacity the ordinary air mails from India are forwarded by air only as far as a port in Africa whence they are sent to the United Kingdom by sea. Certain air mails despatched from India in the early part of October last were embarked at an African port towards the end of October on a ship which unfortunately was seriously delayed en route and the mails were subsequently transferred to another ship reaching here on 18th February.