HC Deb 31 January 1958 vol 581 cc122-3W
Mr. Rawlinson

asked the Postmaster-General why overnight telegrams from London to Epsom are transmitted by road.

Mr. Marples

Such telegrams are sent to Epsom by teleprinter up to 7 p.m., when the local telegraph office closes. Overnight telegrams for Epsom, handed in after 7 p.m., are first sent to the West London Telegraph Office and thence to Mount Pleasant to connect with postal dispatches for first post delivery next morning. If for any reason connection with the postal dispatch is not possible, overnight telegrams are held at the West London Telegraph Office, and sent by teleprinter when the Epsom Telegraph Office opens.

Mr. Rawlinson

asked the Postmaster-General in what circumstances it is not possible for overnight telegrams from London to Epsom to be received by Epsom; what record of the receipt of telegrams is made at Epsom; what confirmation of receipt is given when a telegram is dispatched by teleprinter network; and why, when telegrams are not received and notification has been given of sending the telegrams, the telegrams are not subsequently delivered together with an explanation.

Mr. Marples

No such circumstances should, of course, arise. Unfortunately, despite our best endeavours, failures do occur, as is indicated by my reply of 29th January to my hon. Friend, and my recent letter to him about an overnight telegram unfortunately lost during transmission. In the particular case, further explanation to the intended recipient, so long after the event, hardly seemed appropriate.

Under standard procedure a record is kept at Epsom of all overnight telegrams received by teleprinter, acknowledgment of receipt being automatically transmitted back to the sending operator. A record of overnight telegrams sent to Epsom by road is maintained at Mount Pleasant, the dispatching point.