HC Deb 02 March 1896 vol 37 cc1464-5
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he will state in how many instances during last year the Postmaster General demanded guarantees when asked to establish telegraph offices in the Highland counties of Inverness, Argyllshire, Ross-shire, Sutherland, Caithness, and Orkney and Shetland; and, whether he will state in how many of these instances telegraph offices were eventually established under guarantee?

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) Preston

It will take some time to prepare the information desired by the hon. Member, but the Postmaster General has given directions for the particulars to be got out, and they will be communicated to the hon. Member as soon as they are ready.

MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, in view of the statement contained in the last Report of the Postmaster General that 381 additional telegraph offices were opened at post offices in the course of the year, he will state how many of the said telegraph offices were opened during that year in the Highland counties of Inverness, Argyll shire, Ross-shire, Sutherland, Caithness, and Orkney and Shetland; whether he will state what sum was placed at the disposal of the Postmaster General for the establishment of telegraph offices during the year above referred to; and, whether he will state how much of that sum was devoted to the establishment of telegraph offices in the Highland counties above mentioned?

MR. HANBURY

Of the 381 additional telegraph offices opened in the year 1894–5, 16 are in the counties mentioned in the hon. Member's question. The sum of £25,000 was placed at the disposal of the Postmaster General in the year in question for telegraph extensions, and out of this amount the sum of £1,662 was spent in extensions to 12 of the 16 offices. Of the remaining four offices, two were opened at a cost of £200, in connection with the coast communication scheme, and the other two at a cost of £359, out of the Highlands and and Islands of Scotland (Grants in Aid of Public Works and Communications, &c.) Vote.