§ MR. WHITLEYasked the Postmaster General, Whether he is aware that the Post Office has refused to allow the same advantages of telephonic intercommunication to Liverpool and Birkenhead, which are divided by the River Mersey, as are allowed to Manchester and Salford, which are divided by the River Irwell; and, whether he is prepared to reconsider the application of the Lancashire and Cheshire Telephonic Company to establish communication between the two licensed areas, so as to give to the people of Liverpool and Birkenhead the facilities which are enjoyed by Manchester and Salford?
§ MR. FAWCETTThe town of Salford is really, for postal and telegraphic purposes, a part of Manchester. Liverpool and Birkenhead are not thus connected, as each of these towns has a distinct postal and telegraphic system. I regret that I am unable to accede to the request contained in the Question of the hon. Member, as I do not think there is any reason to alter the decision already ar- 82 rived at—that the arrangement with respect to trunk wires should apply between Liverpool and Birkenhead as between Liverpool and other towns in Lancashire with which Liverpool is in very intimate relations.
§ MR. WHITLEYasked, whether that would not be very expensive?
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, it would, no doubt, be more expensive.