§ Mr. Prescottasked the Postmaster-General whether it is still obligatory for the sender to sign his name and address on the reverse of a telegram; why this practice is maintained; why and when it was first originated; and if he will abolish it.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe sender is asked to give his name and address on the back of a telegram because this information is needed when there is difficulty in delivery or in case of query. For inland telegrams this requirement was made obligatory on security grounds on the outbreak of war in 1939, but it is no longer so. For foreign telegrams the practice has been in force for many years because of the importance of being able to refer back to the sender if the need arises and is still obligatory.