§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether arrangements will be made to extend the telegraph from Muir of Ord to Marybank, Ross-shire?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General will make inquiry into the question of extending the telegraphs to Marybank, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.
§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, having regard to the fact that the Postmaster General is unable, owing to the rules of the Treasury, to extend telegraphic and postal communication in many parts of the western mainland of Ross-shire and 1125 in the island of Lewis without guarantees which, in many cases, the people are unable to give, and, seeing that the circumstances of these people are quite exceptional, and that the development of the industries of these districts is to a great extent dependent upon better postal and telegraphic facilities, the Treasury will waive or modify its rule requiring guarantees, and give to the Postmaster General discretionary powers in such cases?
§ MR. HANBURYThe system of guarantees can hardly be said to be operative in the West Highlands, as a considerable number of extensions have been made during the last four years, which, though quite unremunerative to the telegraph revenue, have been established without any guarantee whatever. It is not of course possible to spend more than a limited sum in each year on this service; but, I may mention that £500 is provided in this year's Estimates for telegraphic extensions in the Highlands and Islands, and that arrangements have already been made to devote a portion of this sum to an extension in Ross-shire, namely, from Gairloch to Badachro. In these circumstances, I see no reason for waiving or modifying the Treasury rules.