HC Deb 16 August 1894 vol 28 cc1248-51
MR. A. C. MORTON (Peterborough)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, having regard to the statement in the Treasury Minute of the 23rd of May, 1892, upon the proposal of the development of the telephone system in the United Kingdom, that the intention is to meet, as far as possible, the views of the Municipal Authorities, and having regard to the fact that the proposals are embodied in certain Draft Agreements which have only, at this late period of the Session, just been circulated, he will postpone until next Session the completion of the said Agreements, so as to give the Municipal Authorities, who have now adjourned, an opportunity, which they will not otherwise have, of considering and expressing their views on the Draft Agreements?

MR. BENN (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

At the same time I will ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, having regard to the statement in the Treasury Minute of the 23rd of May, 1892, upon the proposals for the development of the telephone system in the United Kingdom that the intention is to meet, as far as possible, the views of the Municipal Authorities; and having regard to the fact that the proposals are embodied in certain Draft Agreements which have only just been laid upon the Table of the House, he will postpone until next Session the confirmation of the said Agreements, so as to give the London County Council and other Municipal Authorities, who have now adjourned for the vacation, the opportunity which they will not otherwise have of considering and expressing their views on the said Draft Agreements?

MR. WHITTAKER (York, W.R., Spen Valley)

And I will ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will defer the final confirmation of the proposed Agreements with the Telephone Companies until next Session; in order to afford the Municipal Authorities of the country an opportunity of considering them and expressing their views upon them?

SIR A. ROLLIT (Islington, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers these questions, may I ask whether the Draft Agreement was not based on a Treasury Minute submitted to and approved by Parliament; and is it not also within the Regulations formulated by Parliament? Would not the public interests suffer by further delay?

MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider as to the desirability of referring this Draft Agreement to a committee of business men before next Session commences? Is he aware that the heads of the Draft Agreement were never submitted to the House of Commons?

MR. A. MORLEY

A Committee in 1892 recommended that the details of the arrangement should be carried out by the Department, and I should not feel justified in referring the matter to a Committee. I have pointed out, in reply to previous questions, that the Agreement does not require the confirmation of Parliament. I may again point out that it merely carries out the policy which has already received Parliamentary sanction, and in connection with which large sums have already been expended, out of the amount authorised to be raised by the Telegraph Act of 1892, in the erection of main trunk lines. As I have before stated, the Telegraph Estimates will afford an opportunity for any discussion that it may be desired to raise, and, in view of the inconvenience and prejudice of the public interests which the further delay desired by the hon. Members would involve, I am not prepared to assent to the postponement of the matter until next Session.

MR. A. C. MORTON

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it reasonable and fair to the Municipal Authorities who were promised the Agreement before it was signed that it should only have been sent to them when everybody must have known they were away on their holidays?

MR. A. MORLEY

I regret that I was not able to lay it on the Table earlier. If I thought that it in any sense interfered with the rights, privileges, and powers of the Municipality or in any way restricted their rights with regard to licences I should have agreed with the hon. Member, but I am satisfied such circumstances do not exist, and that no one will be prejudiced.

MR. A. C. MORTON

Will not this Agreement, now practically concluded, prevent the granting of any licences to Municipal Authorities for a period of 18 years?

MR. A. MORLEY

No; it will not have any such effect. An endeavour was no doubt made to interfere with the rights of the Postmaster General in that respect, but I steadily refused to sanction it, and as the Agreement now stands my discretion in the matter remains absolutely unfettered.

MR. A. C. MORTON

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer consent to devote two or three days to the discussion of this Agreement on the Estimates?

SIR W. HARCOURT

No, Sir; not if I can help it.

MR. A. C. MORTON

My right hon. Friend will be unable to help it.

SIR W. HARCOURT

Then why ask me?