§ MR. A. D. PROVAND (Glasgow, Blackfriars)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the accounts relating to the Post Office Trunk Telephone wires will be kept separate, and regular Returns issued showing the amounts expended on construction, on maintenance, for working expenses, and the gross and net earnings, with statistics of the business done?
§ MR. HANBURYA separate account is kept of the money advanced in respect of trunk telephone wires under the Telegraph Act, 1892, and the account for the year 1894–5 will be found on page 583 of the Appropriation Accounts. The maintenance and working expenses cannot be separated from those of the telegraph service, but a statement of the gross earnings and statistics of the business done can at any time be given if necessary.