HC Deb 30 May 1951 vol 488 cc20-2W
82. Mr. Low

asked the Postmaster-General in what ways the existing postal and telegraph facilities to and from British troops in Korea, particularly the time involved and the cost of telegrams, letters and parcels, differ from those in force during the 1939–45 war between the United Kingdom and troops in the Far East or South-East Asia.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The following is the information:

SURFACE MAILS
LETTERS
Date Postage Rates from U.K. Postage Rates to U.K. Transit times
1939 to 1945 … 1½d. for first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce. Free up to 2 ounces. Above 2 ounces charged, on full weight, at 1½d. for first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce. South East Asia: 28–47 days.
Present … 2½d. for first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce. 1½d. for first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce. Japan:
40–50 days
Korea:
40–60 days
PARCELS
Date Postage Rates from U.K. Postage Rates to U.K. Transit times
1939 (October) to 1945. 3 lb. … … 9d. 3 lb. … … 9d. South East Asia:
7 lb. … … 1s. 6d. 7 lb. … … 1s. 6d. 28–47 days.
11 lb. … … 2s. 0d. 11 lb. … … 2s. 0d.
22 lb. … … 3s. 6d. 22 lb. … … 3s. 6d.
Present 3 lb. … … 1s. 3d. 3 lb. … … 1s. 3d. Japan:
7 lb. … … 2s. 3d. 7 lb. … … 2s. 3d. 40–50 days.
11 lb. … … 3s. 6d. 11 lb. … … 3s. 6d. Korea:
22 1b. … … 5s. 6d. 22 lb. … … 5s. 6d. 40–60 days.
TELEGRAMS
Date Rates to and from U.K. Average transit times between London telegraph station and Telcom unit*
To U.K. From U.K.
During 1939–45 war SOUTH EAST ASIA:
Ordinary 1s. 3d. per word
Deferred—7½d. per word
Commonwealth Social telegram 5s. 0d. (13 words) (GLT) No records available.
Letter telegram 10s. 5d. (25 words) (LT)
EFM—2s. 6d. per telegram
1951 KOREA:
Commonwealth Social telegram 5s. 0d. (11 words) (GLT) 8 hour 5⅓ hours
Letter telegram 11 s. 0d. (22 words) (LT)
EFM—2s. 6d. per telegram
* The Army Postal Services in Korea are responsible for conveyance of telegrams between the Telcom Unit and the troops

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