HC Deb 08 February 1962 vol 653 cc84-5W
47. Mr. Driberg

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the hon. Member for Barking was advised on Monday, 5th February, that a cablegram sent by him four days earlier to an address in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, had not be delivered because the addressee was unknown at that address, but that the cablegram had been, in fact, correctly addressed to a house occupied only by the addressee and his family; how this error occurred; and what representations he is making to the cable company concerned to prevent further inefficiency of this kind.

Miss Pike

Yes. The American company has told my right hon. Friend that the delay was due to a mistake on the part of its messenger, and that the hon. Member's telegram did not reach the addressee until the 5th February. The company had tried to locate the addressee in the current telephone directory, but without success. It much regrets the failure and the inconvenience caused.

The Post Office was informed on Friday evening, 2nd February, that the company had been unable to deliver the telegram, and I am sorry that this information was not given more quickly to the hon. Member