§ 14. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the text of the telegram despatched by the Bari assembly of Italian democrats to this House has been delayed in transmission.
§ Mr. LawMy hon. Friend will probably be aware that, owing to military requirements, no facilities as yet exist for the transmission of ordinary telegraphic and written correspondence, 811 other than Press messages, between Italy and the United Kingdom. The message to the House from the National Congress of Liberation held at Bari was, nevertheless, as an exceptional measure, accepted for transmission through official channels. In view of the heavy burden placed on our communications at the present time, I feel sure that my hon. Friend will agree that any complaint of undue delay would be unjustified.