HC Deb 10 May 1950 vol 475 cc363-4
21. Mr. A. R. W. Low

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider his decision not to refund to a Blackpool company the cost of a telephone call from Blackpool to Alexandria, which was made necessary by the negligence of the Post Office servant mislaying an important cable.

Mr. Ness Edwards

After having examined the case, I have come to the same conclusion as that conveyed to the hon. Member in the letter of my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General.

Mr. Low

If I remember correctly, the conclusion in that letter was that the right hon. Gentleman was unable to compensate those who suffered loss through the action of a Post Office official. Will he explain why he has paid compensation to the Egyptians? Does he always prefer Egyptians to British people? Is he aware that the Egyptian——

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member says, "Is he aware?" That is more like giving information than asking for it.

Mr. Low

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to a letter written to me, which I have to take into account, Sir. Why was compensation paid to the senders of the cable, who Were Egyptians? Why does he single out the Egyptians and not the British people, who suffered?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I was asked why I had not given compensation to a British subject who telephoned abroad instead of consulting the local post office