§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, seeing that telegraphic communication with the Island of Alderney has now been interrupted for more than six months, the Post Office Department has made any attempt in that period to repair the broken cable; whether he is aware that, on Friday, the 22nd instant, a steamship of 2,000 tons burden was wrecked on the coast of Alderney, and that, owing to the interruption of the cable service, the crew had no means of communicating with the owners or with their friends until Sunday evening, the 24th instant, when they reached Guernsey; whether it has been reported to him that great indignation prevails in Alderney at the persistent neglect to repair the cable; and whether he will order the immediate execution of the work?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYIn reply to a question asked by the hon. Member on the 11th ultimo, I explained some of the difficulties which had hindered the repair of the Alderney cable, and stated that the cable ship had unfortunately been in collision whilst actually proceeding to the work. She started again last Friday for Alderney; and now only awaits favourable weather to carry out the work.