HC Deb 13 May 1897 vol 49 cc379-80
MR. STRACHEY

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, why no reply, except formal acknowledgments, has been sent to letters dated the 24th June, 14th August, 21st October, 11th November and 10th December of 1895, and 20th February 1896, from the Town Council of Yeovil in reference to certain telegraph posts on a road within the area of that borough; and whether, in view of the danger and obstruction caused to the public using this road, which is the main thoroughfare between the two railway stations of the town, the Postmaster General will assent to the request of the Town Council, contained in their letter dated the 24th June, 1895, and take immediate steps to remedy the present dangerous condition of the road caused by the telegraph posts standing out in some cases from six to nine feet from the side of the road?

*MR. HANBURY

The Postmaster General much regrets to find that through an oversight the result of the Inquiry which was at once instituted with reference to the request of the Town Council of Yeovil in their letter dated the 24th June, 1895, as to certain telegraph posts on a road within the area of the borough, was not communicated to the Council. The request was to the effect that the wires should be placed underground; and it was found that the circumstances did not justify the Department in acceding to it. The poles affected stood at that time in the banks or margin of the road, out of the way of traffic; but it may be that, owing to alterations which have since taken place in the road, the case is now different; and the Postmaster General, as soon as he received notice of the Question, gave instructions for further immediate inquiry, and ordered that steps were to be taken to set right anything which might be found to constitute a source of danger or obstruction.