§ 56 and 57. Mr. FELLasked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that a number of telegrams purporting to be in support of the Progressive party at the recent London County Council election were handed in at different telegraph offices some days before the election day, with instructions that they were not to be dispatched until the eve of the poll; and if this was done with his authority or sanction; and (2) if the Post Office officials are authorised to receive telegrams which are not to be sent off at once, but which are to be kept back and only sent off at a later hour arranged by the sender; and, if so, whether there are any instructions or regulations published on the subject for the use of the officials and the public?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt is the fact that a large number of telegrams purporting to be in support of the Progressive party were delivered in London on the eve of the recent poll for the London County Council. It would not have been possible, without serious delay to all other London telegrams, to have prepared the messages, which numbered 86,000, for delivery on the day on which they were handed in. As notice of the intended despatch had been given beforehand, it was arranged, as a matter of convenience, that the addresses first and then the texts should be handed in in time to admit of the messages being prepared for delivery at the time required. The addresses and texts were all handed in at the chief telegraph office. A similar course was taken with respect to an equally large number of telegrams despatched for advertising purposes in the year 1903, with the approval of the then Postmaster-General; but such cases are so exceptional that no regulations have been made to deal with them, nor does it 412 seem necessary to issue any. Precisely the same steps would, of course, have been taken had the telegrams been sent in support of the Municipal Reform party.
§ Mr. FELLWas it with the sanction of the Postmaster-General that this political manœuvre was assisted by the Post Office?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe Postmaster-General had no choice in the matter. His duty is to deliver all telegrams which are handed in at the Post Office.
§ Mr. FELLIf I hand in a telegram, will the right hon. Gentleman assure me that it will be sent off two days later or at any date I may fix upon?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIf the hon. Gentleman will hand in 86,000 telegrams. I should be exceedingly obliged if he would allow me to postpone their delivery until arrangements could be made.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECould we have the name of the sender of the telegrams?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt was made public. The telegrams were all signed. They were sent by the editors of certain London newspapers.
§ Mr. REMNANTWere these telegrams handed in two days before the actual polling day, with the request that they should be sent out on the morning of the polling day?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThat is precisely the question which was asked. It is a very convenient arrangement for the Post Office. We made a very large profit out of the transaction, with no inconvenience.
§ Mr. F. WHYTEAt every election may not both sides make analogous arrangements with the Post Office?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am glad to say the public in times of pressure are ready to consider the convenience of the Post Office.