HC Deb 13 July 1882 vol 272 c282
MR. PULESTON

asked the Postmaster General, Whether he has now considered the question of destroying telegrams, and thereby insuring the same freedom and secrecy for telegrams as for communications by letter?

MR. FAWCETT

The practice of the Post Office has hitherto been to refuse to produce telegrams in Court except upon a request by the sender or receiver, or upon the order of the Judge. Some doubt having been expressed as to the legality of the course followed by the Department, I propose to insert a clause in a Post Office Bill about to be introduced which will bring telegrams under similar provisions as to secrecy as are now applicable to letters.