§ MR. RUNCIMAN (Oldham)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the Postmaster General has received representations from the Oldham Chamber 723 of Commerce as to the serious delays experienced in telegraphic communication between Oldham and London and the South of England; what steps are being taken to remedy this grievance; whether, in view of the great commercial importance of Oldham, the Postmaster General has contemplated the necessity for direct telegraphic facilities being provided between Oldham and London; and whether it is the only town in England with a population of over 140,000 which is not provided with a direct wire to London.
§ MR. HANBURYThe Postmaster General is not aware that there is any general delay in the transmission of Oldham telegrams. He has been giving very careful attention to the question of providing direct telegraphic facilities between Oldham and London, but he finds that the number of telegrams is not sufficient to justify a direct wire. The answer to the hon. Member's last question is in the affirmative. The point to be considered is, however, not the population but the traffic.