§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, what would be the cost of constructing the Sark-Guernsey cable; what is the distance between the two places; whether he has enough surplus cable in stock to lay this line; what answer was given to the large and influential Petition presented from the people of the Channel Islands in favour of constructing the cable, and has he any objection to lay the Petition upon the Table of the House?
§ MR. HANBURYThe cost of the cable, including the expense of laying, is estimated at £1,350. There would also be some expense for land wires, instruments, &c. About 7½ miles of cable would be required. The Post Office has sufficient cable in hand for the purpose. The receipt of the Petition was acknowledged at the time, but no full reply has hitherto been sent. I have no objection to lay the Petition on the Table. But the course is most unusual, and would be most inconvenient if it were generally resorted to.