§ Lieut.-Colonel Profumoasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the expenditure of 6d. on every airmail-letter-card from the United Kingdom is a considerable charge on the relatives of serving men; and whether, in view of the disapproval in all three Services of this tax on the speediest link between those serving overseas and their families, he will consider reducing the cost of airmail-letter-cards or give publicity to the reasons which make this high charge necessary.
§ Captain CrookshankHitherto there has not been sufficient aircraft capacity to carry an unlimited weight of air letters to all theatres of war, and the charge of 6d. per air letter was intended to keep the weight of mail within manageable limits. I am glad to say that there is now sufficient aircraft capacity to enable me to deal with the extra weight of mail which results from a reduced charge so far as Ceylon, India, and South East Asia2038W Commands, and to the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy abroad, are concerned, and the charge to them for air letters has therefore been reduced to 2d. As soon as sufficient further aircraft capacity is available I propose similarly to reduce the charge to the C.M.F. and M.E.F., etc., but His Majesty's Government considered that priority in this matter should be given to the Far East and to the Royal and Merchant Navies abroad.