MR. CLARE (Lancashire, Eccles)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, 501 whether, at the post offices in Manchester, or any of them, instructions have been received to refuse acceptance for transmission of telegrams addressed "R. Lonie, Cadishead"; whether he is aware that telegrams so addressed have been received and delivered at Cadishead without any difficulty or delay for upwards of fifteen years; and that Mr. Lonie is well known to all the postal and telegraph messengers in Cadishead; whether any difficulty has been experienced in delivering telegrams to Mr. Lonie; and whether telegrams addressed as above have been refused on the ground of such difficulty, or for some other and what reason.
§ MR. HANBURYNo such instructions as those to which the hon. Member refers appear to have been issued. It is of much importance that, in order to ensure the delivery of telegrams without delay, the address should contain full particulars. In the present case the name of the street should, at least, be given. In the absence of such particulars difficulty may at any time arise, even in the case of a well-known person, owing to changes taking place in the staff of the office, or from other cause.
§ MR. LEES KNOWLESI beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that in some instances post cards addressed precisely in the same way as telegrams, alleged to be insufficiently addressed, have been delivered; whether the Post Office authorities decline to register certain telegraphic addresses, although such addresses might have been used for many years, and whether——
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. LEES KNOWLESI have given the right hon. Gentleman notice of the question.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe question had better be put on the Paper.