§ MR. MONTAGU (Tower Hamlets, Whitechapel)asked the Postmaster General, Whether on May 1 an application was made to the Post Office, by Messrs. C. H. Cousens and Co., asking 1689 to be supplied with a private telephone between their chambers and their warehouses in Leman Street, Whitechapel; whether on May 7, the Post Office Authorities replied that, subject to way-leaves being granted, no time would be lost in supplying the telephonic communication; whether, on May 30, another letter was sent to Messrs. Cousens and Co., stating that everything was in order, but that the Post Office Authorities could not obtain the consent of the Police Authorities to pass the wire over the police station opposite the warehouses in Leman Street; whether, on June 6, a further communication was sent from the Post Office, stating their inability to supply the telephone, as the one Government Office was entirely distinct from the other; and, whether he can arrange that way-leaves can be obtained over Government and other property in the same manner and under the same conditions as now obtain with regard to the supply of telephones by the United Telephone Company?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)I cannot find that any letter was written stating that the Post Office was unable to supply a telephone to Messrs. Cousens and Co. It was verbally explained to a representative of the firm that the work could not be proceeded with until permission was received for the attachment of the wire to the police station at Leman Street. That permission has now been received, and the work is in progress.