HC Deb 07 May 1912 vol 38 cc234-5
Mr. WATT

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that his Department are in the habit of refusing payment of money orders on the ground of notification not forward; that this refusal sometimes continues for as much as ten days; that the public are often seriously inconvenienced by such non-payment; will he explain why the notification is not received by his Department as speedily as by the public; and will he take any steps to get those payments expedited?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am aware that delay sometimes occurs in the payment of money orders from places abroad in consequence of the official advice not being dispatched from those countries by the mail in which the order is sent by the remitter to the payee. Delay from this cause is unavoidable in individual cases, especially when the order has been issued shortly before the dispatch of the mail by which it is sent to the payee; but so far as any action in this country can minimise delay, every effort is made with that object. Representations have been made to the countries concerned, and I propose to renew them.

Mr. WATT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the officers in the provinces put the blame on his officers in London?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I shall be very happy to make inquiry into any specific case the hon. Member may be good enough to bring before me.