§ Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the delays in dealing with telegrams at the Cork post-office, and in order to cope with the expanding volume of business there, he intends to increase the Cork telegraphic staff, and by how many; whether, in some cases, Press telegrams from London received at Cork have been transmitted by letter-post; whether notification has more than once been given in some towns in sole telegraphic communication with Cork that telegrams can only be accepted for transmission subject to the risk of unlimited delay; and whether any steps are being taken to prevent telegraphic delays at the Cork office?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere are two vacancies for telegraphists and two for learners at Cork: these will be filled as soon as possible. Nothing is known of Press telegrams from London transmitted1482W by letter-post. In the early part of the year Cork was cut off by storm from direct telegraphic communication with London, and no doubt the letter post may have taken the place of the telegraph in some cases. If heavy Press work is handed in without due notice, it would be right to warn the senders of the risk of delay. If the hon. Member will give me full particulars of the cases he has in mind I will make inquiry.
§ Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in the receipt and delivery of Press telegrams at the Cork post office, precedence is given to one newspaper to the detriment of the other Cork papers, verbal instructions to this effect having been given by one of the higher officials in consequence of some complaints of delay from the favoured newspaper; and whether he will give instructions to put an end to the discrimination complained of?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have been assured that there is no foundation for the suggestion in this question.