§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked whether, in a telegram sent to a sailor on board one of His Majesty's ships, the letters "H.M.S." in capitals, count as one word, but, in sending a telegram from one of His Majesty's ships or from the local post office, unless written small and run together, the same letters are counted as three words; and whether, seeing that the official address of a warship is "H.M.S.," in capitals, he will consider in the interests of the sailors, the possibility of allowing the letters "H.M.S.," in capitals, to count as one word in both cases?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe concession allowing the letters "H.M.S." in telegrams intended for His Majesty's ships to be counted as one word was confined to the address on the ground that such letters written in capitals are generally essential or advantageous in ensuring delivery, while the same considerations do not apply equally to the text. To allow the three initials to count as one word in the text of telegrams in this case would form a precedent which would be likely to give rise to difficulties in other cases. If, however, the three letters are written as one word, they would be charged as such, and I am issuing instructions that the senders of telegrams should in each case be advised, if they have not already done so, to write these initials in this form.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre we to understand that the letters are to be capitals running together so as to form one word? Is that the gist of his reply?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIf they are written as one word they will be treated as such.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEArising out of that answer—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman has got his answer, and a very full answer.