§ Major Nieldasked the Postmaster General if there is yet an airgraph service to Malta; and, if such a service is not practicable, whether a system could be devised whereby airgraphs addressed to Malta could be transmitted to North Africa or Egypt and forwarded from there to Malta.
§ Captain CrookshankThe provision of a direct airgraph service to Malta would necessitate the setting-up of a photographic installation on the Island, and698W the volume of correspondence is not sufficient to justify that course. An indirect airgraph service via North Africa or Egypt would compare unfavourably in point of speed with the existing 3d. air postcard and 6d. air letter services to the Forces in Malta, which afford air transmission throughout to the Island. I should not be justified in maintaining the air postcard service if an airgraph service were provided, and, as the balance of advantage rests in the case of Malta with the air postcard service, I propose to retain it in preference to the provision of indirect airgraph facilities.