End Forces Mail Confusion, Says MP

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Apr 2003

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has asked the Secretary of State for Defence to ensure that a large backlog of undelivered mail for British forces personnel in the Gulf gets to our troops without delay.

Mr Lamb, who previously challenged the Prime Minister after receiving reports of problems with equipment, supplies and logistics during the build-up to the current conflict, outlined his concerns over the postal service in a letter to Geoff Hoon.

Commenting, Norman Lamb said: "Of course, I understand that there are always going to be logistical difficulties in any military operation such as this. However, it seems as if there is no good reason for the hold-up in delivering post to British troops.

"Since commercial flights in the Gulf are being disrupted by military action, the MoD needs to make alternative arrangements for the freighting of letters and packets. It should suspend its contract with Kuwait Airways until the war is over, and deliver the mail on military flights like the Americans do. I also think that we should adopt the US policy of allowing families of Service personnel to send their relatives mail for free.

"This link with home is vital for the morale of our forces. It must be maintained."