§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will re-examine the substance of the letter addressed by the 641W Postal Services department of the G.P.O. to the British and Latin-American Chamber of Commerce dated nth June last (reference 25894); if improvements have taken place in the air-mail services to Latin America; and if further revision of air-mail rates is under consideration.
§ Mr. BurkeI have read the letter and, while I have no information regarding transmission times of correspondence to Latin America, I am glad to say that in the reverse direction transmission times of air mail correspondence from South America to this country have shown much improvement, the latest air mails from the Argentine and Brazil having arrived in about ten days. I hope that the circumstances which have brought about the improvement will be found to have operated in the outward direction also; but if the hon. Member will bring any cases of delay to my notice I will have inquiry made. No further revision in the air postage rates, which are based upon the cost of air conveyance is at present under consideration.
§ Mr. Palmerasked the Assistant Postmaster-General the frequency of the air mail services to His Majesty's Forces in the Azores; and if he is satisfied that these services are sufficient to meet their reasonable needs.
§ Mr. BurkeMails are carried by all available air outlets. A twice weekly air service is provided and meets the reasonable needs of the Forces.