HC Deb 08 May 1890 vol 344 cc451-2
MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the regulation permitting a district post office to refuse to accept a Press telegram, unless 24 hours' previous notice of the intention to telegraph has been given, is habitually enforced at the Croydon Post Office, and notably on last Wednesday week, although there is generally a full force of operators there; and whether he will give directions that such telegrams shall, whenever it is possible, be sent, as it is frequently impossible to give the notice?

* MR. RAIKES

The Rule of the Department requires that— Postmasters must not, under exceptional circumstances which preclude the possibility of previous notice being given, refuse to accept messages exceeding 200 words, provided that there is a probability of their being transmitted without delay. This Rule has, I fear, been misinterpreted at the Post Office in Croydon, and I have now caused suitable instructions to be issued to the officials employed there.