HC Deb 01 March 1898 vol 54 cc264-5
MR. HEDDERWICK

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, with regard to the fact that the telegraphic cable in Scapa Flow, Orkney, was recently found to be interrupted, and upon investigation was discovered to be broken in the middle, whether the cause of the damage has been attributed to the operations of trawlers in the Flow; and what has been the cost to the country of discovering and repairing the break in the cable?

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

There is every reason to believe that the damage to the cable to which the hon. Member refers was caused by a trawler. The cost of the repair was approximately £130.