HC Deb 13 May 1897 vol 49 cc370-1
MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that a telegram addressed "Prime Minister, Natal," was refused on the ground of insufficient address at the Hammersmith Post Office on 8th May; and whether a telegram addressed to the Prime Minister of England would receive like treatment?

*MR. HANBURY

The telegram in question was not refused at the Hammersmith Office, but was duly forwarded to the Telegraph Company concerned. It was, however, returned by the Company with the request that if the telegram were intended for South Africa the name of the telegraph office might be inserted. A telegram addressed merely to the name of the country of destination does not comply with the regulations of the International Convention, which require that the name of the terminal telegraph office should be given. The regulations of the International Convention would apply to the Prime Ministers of England and Natal equally.