HC Deb 28 July 1930 vol 242 cc40-1
59. Dr. MORRIS-JONES (for Mr. HADYN JONES)

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the cablegram Hir oes hapus Glaslwyn, Corwen, despatched at 4.30 p.m. on the 17th instant from Corwen Post Office to Canada was refused transmission by London; whether he is aware that the grounds for refusal were that Welsh was not accepted, but that if it was sent in for transmission in English or French it would be sent off; and will he state why a wire in Welsh is prohibited when a message in a foreign language or in code is accepted?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Viant)

The telegram to which the hon. Member refers was tendered for transmission to Canada by the deferred service at a reduced rate of charge. This service is available only for telegrams written in English or French. The choice of language is restricted in this way in order that telegraph clerks in this country and Canada may be able to satisfy themselves that deferred telegrams do not contain code words, which, under the International Telegraph Regulations, are not admissible in the deferred service.

Dr. MORRIS-JONES

May I ask whether it is the policy of the Government to give preference to a foreign tongue over a tongue which is spoken in this country by more than 1,000,000 of His Majesty's subjects?

Mr. VIANT

I can assure the hon. Member that no prejudice has been shown in this matter. The Regulation which is embodied in the reply, given to the question is one which was arrived at by international agreement.

Dr. MORRIS-JONES

Will the hon. Member tell his Department that this language has been spoken in this country for hundreds of years longer than the English tongue?

Sir P. FORD

Is it not a fact that rather too much time has been given to a small Welsh question?

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

In considering this question, will the hon. Member bear in mind that the Irish language is many hundreds of years older than the Welsh language?

Mr. MORRIS

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question at the earliest opportunity.