§ Mr. BILLING (by Private Notice)asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that at noon on Thursday, the 20th instant, a telegram was handed in at the Post Office at Clapham Common by Captain II. Spencer in the presence of the hon. Member for East Herts, addressed to the Prime Minister; whether he is aware that the Post Office authorities have informed the representative of the party machine that this telegram was never received; and what steps the right hon. Gentleman proposes to take to prevent the possibility of this incident reflecting upon the credit of one of His Majesty's Departments of State?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Pease)Presumably the hon. Member refers to the Clapham Common office, and I am informed that this telegram cannot be traced.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries, and he will discover—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is entitled to ask for information, but not to give it.
§ Mr. BILLINGHas the right hon. Gentleman made inquiries of the assistant to the effect that she has admitted both to Captain Spencer and the Member for East Herts that she received the telegram and omitted to send it?
§ Mr. PEASEThere are several offices in the district, but, so far as this particular office is concerned, there is no trace of the telegram.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman accompany me to the office in question?