§ MR. A. G. H. GIBBS (London)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware of the delays which have occurred in the transmission of telegrams from Russia, Scandinavia, and Northern Europe generally, viâ Newcastle, during the last fortnight, as a result of which telegrams by this route have reached London mainly after business hours, a delay which has been the cause of loss and dislocation of business by this route, and what is the cause of this delay, and when it is expected the service will return to its normal condition.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY,) PrestonThese delays were caused by the breakdown of the telegraph lines by the recent snowstorm, which was of an extremely severe character, and the effects of which were most seriously felt in the north-east of England and in Scotland. During the interruption of the ordinary routes telegrams for the north of Europe were, as far as practicable, transmitted viâGermany, the delay varying from twenty minutes to about two hours. The normal condition of the service has now been restored.