§ 99. Lieut. - Commander Hutchisonasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that many weeks are being taken for the transport of letters from Malta to the United Kingdom by surface mail; and what is the official time which should be taken for the conveyance of letters from Malta to the United Kingdom, and vice versa, by surface mail and airmail, respectively.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI am not aware of such delays. By air, civil mails to and from Malta take half a day in actual transmission, and are dispatched four times a week: by surface, civil mails forwarded via Italy take from 4½ to 14 days, according to the incidence of sailings between Malta and Sicily. I am inquiring into the specific case of delay to Fleet mail which the hon. and gallant Member has brought to my notice and I will write to him as soon as possible.