HC Deb 26 February 1880 vol 250 cc1436-7
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

asked the Postmaster General, Whether he is aware that the purport and substance of the contents of certain private telegrams, handed in at the Dublin head office, appeared in two cases shortly after, and in one immediately after, the day of despatch, in the London correspondence of the "Freeman's Journal," purporting to come by Freeman private wire: No. 1. A message from the Secretaries of the Duchess of Marlborough's Relief Fund to the Editors of the "Times" and other London journals, sent on the 24th January. No. 2. A message from Lord R. Churchill to Leonard Jerome, esquire, New York, sent on the 5th February. No. 3. A message from Secretaries of Duchess of Marlborough's Irish Relief Fund to the Mayors of Adelaide and other large towns in Australia, sent on the 9th February; whether the Post Office authorities propose to make inquiry as to how the contents of those telegrams were procured by, and permitted to appear in, that newspaper; and, whether any measures will be adopted to secure in the future that private telegrams shall not be disclosed in the interests of any journal?

MAJOR NOLAN

I also beg to put a Question on the same subject on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Tipperary (Mr. Gray). I beg to ask the noble Lord the Member for Woodstock, If he would quote in full the precise passages from the London correspondence of the "Freeman's Journal" to which he refers in the Question to the Postmaster General?

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I shall not waste the time of the House by reading long extracts from newspapers. The hon. and gallant Gentleman will find the first in the impression of the 24th of January, on the 5th page, 7th column, and 1st paragraph; the second in the impression of 7th of February, at the 5th page, 8th column, and 29th line, to the end of the paragraph; and the third in the impression of the 10th of February, at the 5th page, 4th column, and 6th paragraph.

LORD JOHN MANNERS

In answer to my noble Friend, I have to say that I am aware that the purport and substance of certain telegrams handed in at the Dublin head office appeared in the "London Correspondence" ofThe Freeman's Journal,purporting to come to Dublin byThe Freeman'sspecial wire. Strict inquiry has been made; but there is no proof of any wilful breach of confidence on the part of any of the Post Office clerks. Every effort is made, and will continue to be made, to prevent the disclosure of the contents of telegrams.