§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the postal authorities are aware of the dissatisfaction expressed by the commercial communities of Cork city and county with the state of the trunk telephonic communication between Cork and the neighbouring towns, and whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Post Office has refused the demand of merchants of Mallow and neighbourhood to be connected with the trunk telephone which passes through Mallow, on the ground that it would interfere with the through communication between Cork and England; and, seeing that the calls between Cork and England are few in number, will the Department order an inquiry as to the possibility of establishing on a paying basis telephonic communication between Cork city and Bandon, Kanturk, Mallow, Fermoy, and other surrounding towns.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANI beg also to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the postal authorities have received any representations from Cork city and county merchants as to the want of telephonic communication between Cork and Youghal; and, seeing that a short time before the trunk telephones were taken over by the Government the National Telephone Company were about to put up a line to Youghal, which only requires extension from Midleton (which is half of the distance), and in view of the importance of Youghal as a seaport and a centre of the brick-making industry, will the Post Office authorities take steps to meet the requirements of the commercial communities concerned.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe question of extending the trunk system to Youghal has been carefully considered on several occasions, but there seems no probability that the revenue would cover the cost of working the line. The Postmaster General would, however, provide the line, if a guarantee were given. The Postmaster General is considering whether a trunk telephone service can be afforded at Tipperary and Mallow, by means of the trunk circuit 1385 which passes near those towns. As regards the other places mentioned, the Postmaster General fears that the amount of traffic to be expected would not justify him in incurring the heavy expenditure which would he involved in providing trunk communication unless a guarantee is given on the same terms as for extension of the trunk wire system in other parts of the United Kingdom.
§ MR. FLYNNMay I ask, cannot the Postal Authorities communicate with the leading merchants interested, with a view to securing the service at once, without waiting for a guarantee?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINNo, I do not think that can be done. If the local people are in a position to guarantee a sufficient amount of business, of course the line would be proceeded with, but at present the Post Office does not feel justified in starting it.
§ MR. FLYNNIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the wire through Mallow is little used? Could not that be made available?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The question cannot be argued.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the National Telephone Company have practically decided to extend the line to Youghal?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI do not know that that affects my answer.