§ MR. STOREYasked the Postmaster General, Whether he is aware that great public inconvenience is caused, in consequence of the trunk wire between Sunderland and Newcastle not being handed over to the Northern Telephone Company; whether this Company received a promise, on 3rd December 1883, that the trunk wire should be handed over to them; whether the new Agreement, which the Post Office authorities insisted on, was finally settled many weeks ago; 1696 and, what are the causes which prevent this trunk wire from being handed over immediately?
§ MR. FAWCETTAs I believe the public have suffered inconvenience from the trunk wire to which my hon. Friend refers not being handed over to the Northern District Telephone Company, I regret that there should have been delay. It has arisen from difficulties having occurred in coming to a decision about the terms of the agreement. I am glad to say, however, that the new agreement was sent to the Company for signature yesterday; and so soon as it has been returned signed, and the terms of the subscription are finally settled, the trunk wire shall be handed over—probably on Monday next.