HC Deb 29 July 1912 vol 41 cc1664-5W
Mr. NANNETTI

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that delay occurred in the transmission from Dublin of the telegraphic reports of the Prime Minister's speech in Dublin on the 19th instant; whether he is aware that reports which were handed in at the General Post Office, Dublin, while the meeting the Prime Minister was addressing was in progress and which were completed before 11 o'clock, were not completely delivered to London newspapers until 4 o'clock next morning; whether he is aware that similar delay was experienced in transmission of the reports to provincial towns in Great Britain and Ireland; whether he is aware that on similar occasions elsewhere Press reports of speeches occupy about one hour in transmission as against five hours on this occasion; whether he is aware that as a consequence of this delay it was impossible to publish the Prime Minister's speech in full in the early editions of Saturday's newspapers anywhere outside of Dublin; and whether, in view of the foregoing facts, he will take steps to bring home to the officials responsible for the inadequate telegraphic arrangements in Dublin a due sense of their shortcomings?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am making a close investigation into the circumstances of the very regrettable delay to which the hon. Member refers, and will acquaint him with the result as soon as possible.