§ 39. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Postmaster-General whether he can explain why a telegram dispatched from Dakar on or before 7th January was not delivered to the addressee at Liverpool until noon of 18th January, seeing it only contained the two words, "Left, Williams''; whether lie can state when this telegram was received in Liverpool and who was responsible for the delay in delivery; and whether lie is aware that a telegram of a similar nature handed in at Dakar on the afternoon of 20th January was delivered to the addressee at Liverpool on the early morning of 22nd January?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I sent him on the 24th instant, namely, that the telegram in question was not received in 1300 this country until the 18th January. It was not forwarded over British cables, and I am unable to say to what cause its delay was due.
§ Mr. HOUSTONCan the right hon. Gentleman ascertain who is responsible for this improper delay in the delivery of an important cable, and can he say whether there is greater chaos in his Department than in any Government Department?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHIf the hon. Member desires, I will ask the foreign Government why the delay occurred?