HC Deb 17 May 1898 vol 57 cc1530-1
MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the fact that, in counting words in telegrams, "West Derby" is charged as one word, but that an equally important place, "West Kensington" is charged as two words; whether he is aware that by Post Office special order, No. 63 740–94, "corn exchange" and "stock exchange" when written as compound words count as one word each, but "coal exchange" and "wool exchange" count as two words each, however written; and whether he will abolish these distinctions?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) Preston

It is only by inadvertence that West Derby has been allowed to pass as one word, the name having been reported as that of a separate village. The privilege haying, however, been given for some time, the Postmaster General does not propose to withdraw it. West Kensington being part of a town is, under the general rule, properly charged as two words. The answer to the second paragraph of the honourable Member's Question is in the affirmative. Both corn exchange and stock exchange are shown as compound words in the dictionary, and appear, therefore, to be recognised as compound words, although the honourable Member has not treated them so in his Question. Coal exchange and wool exchange are not to be found in any dictionary as compound words, and they appear to be usually written as two words, as in the honourable Member's Question. Whenever the usage of the English language sanctions their being treated as compound words the Postmaster General will give instructions for them to be charged for as such in telegrams.

MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)

Did the right honourable Gentleman say West Derby was a village?

MR. HANBURY

NO; I said it had been inadvertently reported as a separate village.

MR. HENNIKER HEATON

I do not want to ask the right honourable Gentleman a conundrum, but will he say why Chester-le-Street is charged as one word and Chester Street as two?

MR. HANBURY

One is the name of a separate place and the other is only part of a town.