§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, is he aware that a number of telegrams sent in accordance with postal regulations, for which in some cases sums of £10 and upwards have been charged, to officers on active service in South Africa, have not been delivered to the persons to whom such telegrams have been addressed; and whether he can explain the causes of non-delivery, and state the steps which the postal authorities intend to take in future to secure the prompt delivery of telegrams to officers and men serving in South Africa.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY, Preston)Very few complaints have reached the Postmaster General of the non-delivery of telegrams sent to officers on active service in South Africa. There are, no doubt, considerable difficulties attending the delivery of such telegrams, and they are only forwarded from this country at the sender's risk. The delivery arrangements in South Africa are not, of course, in the hands of the Post-master General. The telegrams are, it is believed, handed over to the military authorities.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the telegrams reached Mr. Buncombe, the Member for West Cumberland?
§ MR. HANBURYI know nothing of that.