MR. PARKER SMITH (Lanarkshire, Partick)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the breakdown of telegraphic and telephonic communication between England and Scotland in the storm of Friday last; and will he state for how long telegraphic communication was interrupted and delayed, and what steps he is taking to establish connection with Edinburgh and Glasgow by underground cables, or by other means not liable to interruption by the weather.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. I have received brief reports on the extent and character of the breakdown of telegraphic communication in the storm of Friday last. I shall have the pleasure of receiving a deputation from the Chambers of Commerce on the sub- 1363 ject of the underground cables to-morrow, and I shall then have an opportunity of explaining the position in greater detail than is possible within the limits of an answer to a Question in this House.