Gulf Forces

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many free airmail letters can be sent and received per week by service personnel stationed in the Gulf region.

Mr. Archie Hamilton
There is no restriction on the number of forces free airletters that can be sent and received per week by service personnel stationed in the Gulf region.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average length of time taken for an airmail letter to reach service personnel in the Gulf region from (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany.

Mr. Archie Hamilton
All letters addressed to service personnel in the Gulf region are transported by air. At present, letters posted in the United Kingdom arrive within about five days and those from Germany within about four days.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest posting date for parcels and letters to be sent to service personnel in the Gulf region in time for Christmas.

Mr. Archie Hamilton
The latest recommended posting dates for parcels and letters to be sent to service personnel in the Gulf region in time for Christmas are:

1 December All classes of surface mail including economy service parcels.

13 December Airmail 2nd class letters, cards, packets and standard service (airmail) parcels.

14 December Airmail 1st class letters, cards and forces free airletters.

Ms. Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he will make to ensure that Christmas parcels can be sent out to those serving in the Gulf in time for Christmas free of charge.

Mr. Archie Hamilton
Forces free airletters are delivered to the Gulf region free of charge. Parcels can be sent at forces concessionary rates, which are roughly in line with United Kingdom inland postage rates.