§ Major GLYNasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that priority is being given to cabled messages by cable companies on payment of a 1918W premium; whether this is in accordance with the cable regulations; whether cables sent through the General Post Office are subject to delays unless a premium is paid for priority; and whether he will state if he has any control over cable companies to prevent such unsatisfactory customs creeping into our cable system?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHPriority of transmission is given to urgent telegrams paid for at triple rates for and from all places abroad except those served by the North Atlantic Cable Companies. The arrangement is in accordance with the regulations of the International Telegraph Convention. The proportion of urgent telegrams is small, and their prior transmission does not appreciably prejudice that of telegrams paid for at ordinary rates. If the urgent service were withdrawn, British merchants would be at a disadvantage as compared with their competitors in foreign countries to whom the urgent service would still be available.
§ Sir B. FALLEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Portsmouth (North) sent a cable to Hong Kong in February last; that such cable was never delivered; that, notwithstanding that the date of sending and the office from which the cable was sent has been given, no trace of the cable can be found; and, if in view of such a state of things, he will make it obligatory for the lines over which he has control to give receipts?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHSpecial inquiry has been made as regards the telegram to which the hon. Member refers, but no record of it can be found. Receipts for telegrams handed in at Post Offices can always be obtained on payment of a fee of 1d.