§ SIR J. LENGI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing 294 the Postmaster General, whether the underground electric cable between London and Birmingham is working satisfactorily, and whether it will be extended northwards, in order to prevent a recurrence of the prolonged interruption of telegraphic communication between England and Scotland caused by last winter's snowstorms.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY,) PrestonThe underground telegraph line to Birmingham meets the demand for uninterrupted communication over that part of the country where destructive gales are most prevalent; but it is not at present found to be so generally useful as an overground line, and the Postmaster General cannot at present contemplate its extension to the North.