§ Mr. HUDSONasked if negotiations with the National Telephone Company had been completed respecting the continuance of construction work for necessary services until the time of transfer in 1912?
The HON. MEMBERalso asked whether the National Telephone Company were limiting construction work for new services to the supply of plant they had in hand?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr Sydney Buxton)The negotiations with the National Telephone Company for the continuance of the construction of plant for use after the end of 1911 are still in progress. I understand that the company are fully prepared to provide for all the requirements of the service up till the end of 1911, and it will, therefore, be necessary for them to carry out a considerable amount of construction work, even if they I do not provide spare plant for later use. I may add that a considerable quantity of plant is being provided by the Post Office for the company's use on rental terms until the end of their licence in accordance with the purchase agreement of 1905.