§ Mr. Joynson-Hicksasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many air mail letters to the R.A.F. serving in Malaya have recently been substantially delayed through being sent by sea; and what revisions have lately been made in the postal rates for air mail letters to the Forces serving in that area.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe wartime arrangement of sending by air ordinary one ounce letters for the Forces overseas prepaid 1½d. ceased on 15th September. Under the revised arrangements then introduced air transmission is accorded only to the special light-weight "Forces Letter," for which the inclusive charge is 2½d., and to ordinary letters prepaid at the appropriate air mail rates, namely, 5d. not exceeding 1 ounce (6d. for 1½ ounces) to the Forces in Europe, and 6d.68W not exceeding 1½ ounces to the Forces serving outside Europe. The new arrangement was announced well in advance of the change, and a period of grace up to 28th September was allowed before letters prepaid only 1½d. were excluded from air despatch. I am afraid that there would inevitably be considerable delay to Forces letters for Malaya prepaid 1½d. after the expiry of the period of grace.