MR. J. CARVELL WILLIAMS (Notts, Mansfield)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, what is the cause of the delay in connecting the post office at Mansfield with the trunk telephone system, most of the requisite apparatus having been provided; and, when such connection may be expected to take place?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) PrestonOwing principally to the difficulty of procuring sufficient apparatus, it has been found necessary to proceed gradually with the transfer of the working of the Trunk Telephone Lines from the National Telephone Company. The arrangements will first be completed in that part of the country which lies south of the Thames, and the transfer will take effect there on the 4th of next month. The District comprising Mansfield is receiving attention, and it is hoped that it will be possible to effect the transfer there at an early date.