§ SIR G. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to a mistake in an important telegraphic message sent by Messrs. Meredith Jones and Sons, of Wrexham, to Reuter's Telegraph Company, on the 15th of May, for the purpose of being transmitted to Bombay; whether he is aware that, in consequence of such mistake, it became necessary for the senders of the message to re-cable the same at a cost to themselves of 12s.; and whether the Post Office Authorities decline to be responsible for the loss caused by the neglect of their employés; and, if so, who is responsible for such loss?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.While expressing my regret for the mistake to which my right hon. Friend refers, I am afraid I can only call his attention to the notice which appears on the telegram forms used by the public, that the Postmaster General is not liable for any loss which may be incurred by reason of any mistake in the transmission of telegrams.
§ SIR G. OSBORNE MORGANThen may I ask who is responsible?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI am afraid the answer is, "No one is responsible," for if any liability does exist it must fall upon the innocent taxpayer.
§ SIR G. OSBORNE MORGANIs not what the right hon. Gentleman has just said in direct contravention of the first principle of English law—that "there is no wrong without a remedy."
§ MR. A. MORLEYThat is a question for the Attorney General.
§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)Is it not a fact that in the event of a message being wrongly sent the Government 17 are bound to have the mistake rectified without any further charge?
§ MR. A. MORLEYIf in the case of an inland telegram the first message is found to be incorrect owing to a mistake on the part of the Post Office officials, any charge for repeating the telegram is refunded, but in no case is the Post Office liable to make good any consequential loss to the individual.