§ *Sir J. LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware that there has been no telephonic communication between Dundee, Montrose, and Aberdeen for the last fortnight; whether this is consequent on the telephone wire being used for telegraph messages; whether contractors for the use of the telephone will be compensated for their loss of service; and when the telephonic communication in this district will be renewed.
§ MR. HANBURYOn three days, the 16th, 17th, and 18th February, a section, between Montrose and Aberdeen, of the trunk telephone line from Dundee to Aberdeen was used in making up telegraph circuits from Aberdeen to Edinburgh and Dundee. The telephone line was at the time broken down south of Montrose; and if the uninjured section had not been used in the manner described, Aberdeen would have been entirely cut off from telegraphic communication with the south. There are no contracts or agreements to which the Postmaster General is a party for the general use of the trunk wire system. The acceptance of each message is a separate transaction as in the case of an ordinary postal telegram, and no person is entitled to compensation on account of an interruption of the service. The restoration of the Dundee-Aberdeen trunk line was completed and the line brought into use on the 2nd instant.