§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Defence whether he is now prepared to allow newspapers and periodicals to be sent at concessionary rates to Service men stationed in Cyprus.
§ Sir W. MoncktonPostal concessions for the forces overseas are already costing nearly £1¼ million a year and I would not feel justified in present circumstances in adding to this cost by reducing the postal charges made for newspapers and periodicals.
§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Defence if he will give an estimate of the cost of the granting a 75 per cent. reduction in mail charges on newspapers and periodicals sent to Service men stationed in Cyprus.
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§ Sir W. MoncktonA 75 per cent. reduction in mail charges on newspapers and periodicals sent to Service men in Cyprus would cost £14,000 a year. But a reduction of this kind would have to be extended to newspapers and periodicals sent to Service men elsewhere abroad and the total annual cost would be of the order of £150,000.
§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Defence if he is aware of the hardship caused to parents of soldiers serving abroad because of the high charges for sending parcels by air which amount to 16s. 6d. for 3 lb. to Cyprus and that there is no registration system to this island; and if he will take steps to reduce substantially the charges for parcels sent to serving soldiers abroad.
§ Sir W. MoncktonParcels for Cyprus may be sent by surface mail at very cheap rates. A 3 lb. parcel for a Service man costs 1s. 3d. or less than one-fifth of the rate for a parcel of the same weight sent to a civilian by the overland route now in use. There are comparable reductions for heavier parcels. Parcels sent by surface mail should normally arrive in about three weeks, and, although they cannot be registered, they may be insured. A fee of 8d. provides cover up to £12.
On the general question of concessionary rates, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas).