§ 142. Mr. Gaitskellasked the Under secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at the R.A.F. station in Reykjavik, Iceland, a parade was recently held when the temperature was seven degrees below zero, centigrade; that the inspection lasted 1½ hours and that five men fainted; and whether he will stop the holding of all unnecessary parades under arctic conditions.
§ Mr. StracheyThis parade was held in reasonable weather conditions. The temperature was just over 19 degrees Fahrenheit, and it was a clear windless day, dry on the ground. Parades of this kind at Reykjavik have been cancelled in bad weather throughout the winter and this was, in fact, the first to be held since last autumn.
§ 143. .Mr. Gaitskellasked the Under secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there have recently been long delays in the forces mail from Iceland to this country; and whether he will take steps to remove such delays.
§ Mr. StracheyLetters from members of our Forces in Iceland are at present being sent twice a week direct to this country by air. The only delays have been due to bad weather, which interrupted the service twice in February.