§ MR. MACLURE (Lancashire, S.E., Stretford)I beg to ask the Postmaster General if he can state when the agreement between the Post Office and the National Telephone Company is likely to be concluded and laid before the House?
§ MR. A. MORLEYA draft is now under the consideration of the Company, and I trust that no undue delay will arise in the conclusion of the agreement.
§ MR. JACKSON (Leeds, N.)May we expect to have it before the Recess?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI am afraid not. There are so many matters involved.
§ CAPTAIN BAGOT (Westmoreland, Kendal)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, in the event of the Telephone Company's trunk lines being purchased by the Post Office, any and 1082 what arrangements are being made to safeguard the subscribers to exchanges of private or municipal companies using the trunk lines from having their messages unduly delayed, or placed under any other disadvantages as compared with similar messages from the exchanges of the National Telephone Company?
§ MR. A. MORLEYIn reply to the hon. Member, I have to say that when the telephone trunk lines come under the entire control of the Post Office their use will be subject to the usual regulations, which forbid any favour or priority being given to particular persons.