HC Deb 21 January 1953 vol 510 c39W
88. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will allow the free postage by air mail of one newspaper or periodical per week to officers and men serving in Korea; and what the cost of this concession would be.

Mr. J. R. H. Hutchison

No. The concession suggested would cost some £200,000 a year and this addition to the existing postal concessions for the Services overseas, which are at present costing about £1,600,000 a year. cannot be contemplated. These already include a subsidy for newspapers sent privately to the Forces in Korea by air mail.

I would add that the War Office sends out each week by air a wide range of national Sunday newspapers which are supplied free on the basis of one newspaper for every five men and that periodicals and magazines are similarly sent out by sea.