§ MR. BRADLAUGHI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that a telegram handed in at Bournemouth, on 22nd February, addresssd to a mercantile firm in Glasgow, was never delivered, and that the Department, on 2nd of April, admitted that the non-delivery was due to carelessness on the part of one of the telegraphists; whether he is aware that a loss of about £90 resulted from the non-delivery of the telegram; and if he can explain why the Department offered 7½d., being the amount prepaid by the sender of the telegram, as the only compensation, and whether any increase can be made on that offer?
§ *MR. RAIKESI regret to find that the failure of the telegram referred to was duo to carelessness, and to learn from the hon. Member that it was attended with such serious loss. The Department has no power to grant compensation for loss incurred through the non-delivery of a telegram. All it can do is to refund the cost of the telegram and endeavour to prevent similar mistakes. Punishment is always inflicted on the person in fault.