§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the damage inflicted on Mr. T. Grant, of Brentford, by the inaccurate transmission of a telegram; whether there is any fund with which to compensate the general public under such circumstances; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of altering the law on the subject?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe precise cause of the inaccurate transmission of the telegram cannot be determined. No negligence can be shown, and although I regret that Mr. Grant has sustained loss, no fund has been placed at my disposal out of which he could be compensated. Telegraphy is not an exact art and I am not prepared to ask Parliament to alter the law.