84. Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSasked the Postmaster-General whether he can say what is the greatest number of hours' delay which has taken place during the last month for which figures are available between the handing in of telegrams at local telegraph offices and their despatch by submarine cable from this country?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Illingworth)The greatest delay which has taken place during the last month, so far as telegrams to the Continent are concerned, was about 22¼ hours. This occurred on the traffic to Italy, which has been much congested owing to staff difficulties in that country. The average delay on telegrams to the Continent during the month was about 4½ hours. 2159 In the case of traffic forwarded to the Near and Far East, the maximum delay was about 24 hours, the average being about 10½ hours. To North America viâ the Imperial Cable, the maximum delay was about 10 hours, and the average about 3¾ hours.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is found quicker to telegraph from London to Paris viâ New York than direct through the London Post Office to Paris, even when paying the exorbitant so-called urgent rate of 6d. per work to Paris?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHIf the hon. and gallant Member had given me notice of the question I should have been glad to give him a proper reply. I have not had time to check the facts, but probably one route by which the wire was sent was slack at the time while the traffic on the other was very heavy. It is difficult to explain by answer to a question, but if the hon. and gallant Member wishes, I will send him a paper which will give him all the information he requires.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware he is misinformed? Both telegrams were sent off simultaneously at 12.18, and the one viâ New York beat the one by the direct route by 20 minutes.
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI have said I have not checked the figures. It is quite possible that at the time the messages were handed in the traffic on one route was slack and on the other heavy.
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHIt is far more expensive to send by way of New York. Very important telegrams get through to the Continent many hours sooner than if they are sent in the ordinary course.