HC Deb 08 April 1897 vol 48 cc730-1
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will state how many of the 2,932 telegraph offices in the United Kingdom at the time of the transfer of the telegraphs to the State were situated in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland respectively; and whether he will state the number of telegraph offices of all kinds in each of the said countries at the present time?

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

The Postmaster General regrets it is not in his power to give separate information regarding the offices in Wales at the time of the transfer. England and Wales together had 2,268 offices, Scotland 419, and Ireland 245. At the present time the numbers are 7,773, 1,484, and 926 respectively.

MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that Applecross, Ross-shire, is situated at a distance of 15 miles from the nearest telegraph office; and whether, in view of the inability of the Applecross District to provide a guarantee of £67 a year for the establishment of a telegraph office, he will reconsider his determination to demand a guarantee or reduce the amount thereof?

MR. HANBURY

Yes. The Postmaster General is aware that Applecross is 15 miles from the nearest telegraph office. He would be glad if it were possible to meet the wishes of the people there, but he regrets it is not in his power, under the regulations of the Treasury, to accept a lower guarantee than £67 a year.