§ MR H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether an agreement is now being settled between the Post Office and the National Telephone Company for the purchase by the Post Office of the National Company's trunk wires, or for the settlement of other matters; and, if so, will he lay a copy of the proposed agreement upon the Table of the House before it is signed?
§ MR. A. MORLEYAn agreement to give effect to the policy decided upon by the Telegraph Act, 1892, and the Treasury Minute of the 23rd of May of that year, is in course of settlement with the National Telephone Company. In pursuance of the recommendations of the Select Committee to which the Bill was referred, the agreement will be laid before Parliament; but the Committee were of opinion that the responsibility for the details of the agreement should rest with the Government, and I do not propose, therefore, to lay it upon the Table of the House before it is signed.
MR. H. S. POSTERDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the agreement will be a reversal of the policy contained in the Treasury Minute? Will anything be done to meet the wishes of the Municipal Authorities?
§ MR. A. MORLEYThe agreement will be on the lines of the Minute, and there will be no departure from it.