§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, Camlachie)asked the Postmaster General, If he is in a position to state what progress has been made in any negotiations which may be pending between the Government and the Telephone Companies with a view to the acquisition and extension of the present lines, and the removal underground of all existing overhead wires, as also with a regard to the Public Service by improving the present most inadequate and defective arrangements?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)In reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that no negotiations are pending for the acquisition by the Government of the Telephone System of the various Companies carrying on business in the United Kingdom. The Post Office continues the practice, which has been adopted for many years past, of substituting underground for overhead wires in London, and other large towns, whenever the number of wires is considerable. The length of underground wire in the 551 United Kingdom is upwards of 20,000 miles, and the main trunk lines from London are carried underground to distances varying from five miles to 22 miles from the General Post Office. The principal and many of the smaller offices in London, 315 in all, are connected with the Central Telegraph Office by underground wires. As the hon. Member is, no doubt, aware, the Telephone System in London does not belong to the Post Office, but to a private Company, to whom any question of improving the present arrangements should be addressed.