§ SIRWILLIAM WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the Postmaster General has received memorials from Keith and other towns asking for an additional telephone line passing through Huntley, Keith, Dufftown, Craigellachie, and Aberdour; whether he is aware that on the understanding that such line would be constructed exchanges were established at various localities along this route, and that for this object wayleaves along the county roads were granted by the Upper District Committee of the Banffshire County Council; and whether he will endeavour to meet the wishes of the memorialists?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General has received the memorials to which the hon. Member refers. He is not aware that telephone exchanges have been established and wayleaves obtained on the understanding that an additional line passing through Huntley and the other towns mentioned would be constructed, but he will make inquiry on the subject. The exchanges have been established by the National Telephone Company, and the Postmaster General is in communication with that Company as to the arrangements for affording them trunk wire facilities. The claims of the district must, however, be considered in connection with the claims of the country generally, and with due regard to the probable revenue and expenditure.