§ MR. LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that letters addressed to places in Wales by their Welsh names, e.g., Abermaw (Barmouth), Abertawe (Swansea), Caerdydd (Cardiff), Caergybi (Holyhead), sometimes miscarry because the postal authorities in England are only acquainted with the English names of such places; and whether, in cases where the Welsh name of a place differs from the English name, he will cause the name of the place to appear in both languages in the Post Office Guide?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) PrestonIt is possible, no doubt, that letters addressed to places in Wales do occasionally miscarry because the names of the places are written in Welsh, but the Postmaster General is not aware that such miscarrying is frequent, as a printed list of Welsh names, which I shall be glad to show to the honourable Member, has been supplied to the post offices of most places where there are Welsh-speaking inhabitants. Barmouth does not appear in the list, but shall be inserted when there is a reprint. It is not thought that it would be expedient to insert the Welsh names in the Post Office Guide. Any additions to that somewhat voluminous publication are to be avoided.
§ MR. LEWISIs the right honourable Gentleman aware that the instances given in the Question are only a few of the many which actually occur?
§ MR. HANBURYwas understood to reply that the list of names supplied to the post offices was a very comprehensive one.