§ MR. A. G. H. GIBBS (London)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that fresh delays have arisen in the transmission of telegrams from Russia through the Great Northern Company's cable at Newcastle, and whether the Postmaster General can give any guarantee that steps will be taken by the Post Office to prevent these constant interruptions, and when will he be prepared to state what steps will be taken by the Post Office.
§ MR. HANBURYThe delays to which the hon. Member refers are attributable to the interruption of the land wires of the Great Northern Telegraph Company caused by the fresh snowstorms which occurred a few days ago. The Postmaster General is afraid he cannot give any guarantee against such interruptions. They are happily not of the constant nature assumed in the hon. Member's question, but the Postmaster General will be glad to consider whether, by altering the route of one of the wires or in any other way, the risk of total interruption can be diminished.