§ 72. Brigadier Headasked the Postmaster-General why copies of "The Times" and "Daily Telegraph" are available in New York at five o'clock on the day of issue, whereas air mail posted at, say, 12.30 p.m. on a Wednesday will not leave this country until some time after 5 p.m. on a Thursday.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI understand that bulk consignments of newspapers are carried by an American air service which is due to reach New York in the afternoon. Air mail correspondence, which has to be individually sorted before despatch, is forwarded daily by British air services; the latest posting time at the London chief office to connect with Wednesday's service is 12.15 p.m. and a letter posted at 12.30 p.m. on that day would, as the hon. and gallant Member suggests be forwarded by Thursday's flight.
§ 75. Brigadier Headasked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered instituting a fast air mail for which a small surcharge would be paid in order to expedite delivery of important communications.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingNo, the policy of the Post Office is maximum acceleration of air mail as a whole, and conversations with that object in view are now proceeding with the United States Post Office.