HC Deb 03 March 1887 vol 311 cc1064-5
SIR RICHARD PAGET (Somerset, Wells)

asked the Postmaster General, If he will be good enough to arrange, for the convenience of hon. Members, that in telegrams sent to them addressed to this House the term "House of Commons" shall be reckoned as one word, and not three, as at present?

THE POSTMASTER GENEEAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)

This is a matter in which I could not act without the concurrence of the Treasury; and as any alteration of the present rule would affect not only the House of Commons, but, at any rate, many Public Offices, I must take time to consider the question.

SIR RICHARD PAGET

asked, whether it would not be easy for the Department to get over the difficulty if the Speaker were formally to enter the registered address of that House?

MR. RAIKES

I believe there would be no objection in the Department if the address of this House were registered as "Commons." At the same time, it will be for the authorities of the House to consider how far that might be generally desirable, having regard to the fact that some delay occurs in the transmission of telegrams in consequence of the additional difficulty of sorting them.

MR. O'HEA (Donegal, W.)

inquired whether, if a telegram were addressed to "Parliament," it would be delivered at the House?

MR. RAIKES

I presume that if the address of the House of Commons were registered as "Parliament," telegrams would be delivered at that address; but it is a question whether the authorities can do that without trenching on the privileges of the other House of Parliament.