§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Postmaster-General to explain the cause of delay in the delivery of telegrams between London and Dublin, and Loudon and parts of rural Ireland; whether he can explain how it was that on Tuesday, 30th June, a telegram sent from Churton Street, London, to Long ford at 11 a.m. was not delivered till 3 p.m., whereas a later telegram sent from Fleet Street at 1.30 p.m. was delivered to same address half-an-hour before the other wire was received there; will he state is the delay due to mechanical difficulties or breakdowns, or due to atmospheric conditions, and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am having special inquiry made with regard to the transmission of telegrams between Ireland and London, but I may say at once that there does not appear to be anything like the delay which the Question of the hon. Member implies. The only telegram answering his description which can be traced as having been handed in at Churton Street on the 30th ultimo was handed in at 11.26, and reached Longford at 12.8. If the hon. Member is satisfied that its delivery was delayed for three hours at Longford, I shall be glad if he will supply me with all the information in his possession, so that I may make full inquiry into the circumstances.
§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI will do so.