§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (for Mr. LABOUGHERE)asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is his intention to take any action with a view to make the milking of cablegrams to this Country by the officials of Cable Companies illegal; and to ensure, so far as is possible, the secrecy of all cablegrams sent to and from this Country over land lines belonging to the Post Office?
§ MR. FAWCETTAlthough the public is sufficiently protected by the existing law against messages passing over wires belonging to the Post Office being divulged, I fully admit the importance of, if possible, providing similar protection to foreign telegrams passing over the wires worked by private Companies. The question is not free from difficulty; but I should be very glad to consider whether a clause could not be framed to be inserted in the Post Office Protection Bill to meet such a case as that referred to by my hon. Friend. It has been intimated by some of the most important Cable Companies that they would be glad to see such a clause passed by the House. The Post Office Protection Bill, which now stands for second reading, is at the present time blocked, and, this being the case, I am prevented, until a second reading is obtained, from putting on the Paper any new clause that it may be intended to 168 move in Committee to carry out the object desired.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked whether the hon. Gentleman would consider the advisability of introducing into that Bill a provision that in the despatch of such messages no precedence should be given to the Chairman or Directors of Telegraph Companies?
§ MR. FAWCETTIf I can only get the second reading of this Bill, which is a purely administrative Bill, passed, I shall put at once on the Paper the form of clause, and shall then be glad to receive any suggestion.