§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General,, whether he is aware of the inconvenience that has been caused all over London by the taking up of the streets for the telephone,, and that Victoria Street has been almost. impassable for six months, and that each house has been blocked up for about six weeks; and whether some steps can be taken to reduce this inconvenience to the public.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)The Postmaster General is aware, and he is sorry that it should be so, that great inconvenience has been caused by the works for the new telephone service in London. The facts are not, however, quite as stated by the hon. Member. Excavation in Victoria, Street was not begun until 207 24th August, and the duct work was completed more than a week ago. The Postmaster General is satisfied that every endeavour is and will be made to minimise the inconvenience to the public. It should be understood that the Post Office is not responsible for the whole of the inconvenience which has been caused. Electric light companies have made and are making extensive excavations in many cases along the same routes as those followed by the Post Office.
§ MR. BARTLEYIf the Post Office did not commence the work until August, someone began it for them a month or two previously.