§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his negotiations with the National Telephone Company for the purchase of 797 their system are yet completed; and f whether he intends to give notice to terminate their licence at the end of this year; and what steps he intends to take to bring the arrangements before Parliament in accordance with his undertaking.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, WesthoughtonThe negotiations with the National Telephone Company on the subject of the purchase of their system are not concluded, and while they are still in progress the hon. Member will hardly expect me to make any declaration of the intentions of the Government as to terminating the Company's licence by notice. The hon. Member's last Question seems somewhat premature. I can only assure him that if an arrangement is come to have every attention of fulfilling my promise to bring it before Parliament for approval.
§ MR. LOUGHIs it not the case that the negotiations must be concluded this month if the necessary notice is to be given?
§ LORD STANLEYIf the notice is to be given.