HC Deb 17 August 1909 vol 9 cc1076-7
Mr. CURRAN

ask the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that reductions in the staff of the National Telephone Company still continued; that the users of the Company's system were suffering inconvenience owing to the negligence of the Company in the carrying out of alterations and repairs and the placing of new plant; and whether he was prepared to adopt some line of action which would obviate this systematic starving of the system prior to the Government taking it over?

Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON

I understand that the National Telephone Company have discharged a certain number of construction hands during the present year owing to a slight diminution in the amount of new work and orders. I have no evidence before me that the National Telephone Company are causing inconvenience to subscribers by failure to carry out alterations or repairs to their existing plant. The condition of the plant will be taken into account in the settlement of the purchase price in 1911, and the company have, therefore, a direct interest in keeping the plant up to date. I have just concluded an arrangement with the company for the continuance of certain new works involving the provision of spare plant for use after 1911; and I am in communication with them as to a further arrangement for the establishment of new exchanges in districts served by their system.

Mr. CURRAN

Has any definite date been fixed for the valuation of the stock and plant prior to the Government taking them over?

Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON

Under the agreement the question of valuation will arise in due course.

Mr. CLYNES

Has the right hon. Gentleman kept the promise which I remember he made that steps would be taken to prevent dismissals of the staff?

Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON

We are desirous of doing that.

Mr. H. A. WATT

Is it not the case that the National Telephone Company have parted with their canvassers? Cannot some arrangement be made by the Postmaster-General whereby the services of these men can be retained?

Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON

But surely that is not the case.

Mr. H. BELLOC

Is it not the case that shortly after joining this House I warned the right hon. Gentleman that the National Telephone Company would do something of this kind?

Mr. CURRAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept documentary evidence from me on this point?

Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON

I shall be very glad to do so. If my hon. Friend has any information to give me on this matter I shall be very glad to consider it. But it is to the direct interest of the National Telephone Company to keep the plant in a proper state of efficiency, as the question of price will depend largely on the efficiency of the plant.

Mr. J. F. REMNANT

Is not the question of the extension of the system equally important with the maintenance of the efficiency of the plant?

Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON

That is another point.