HC Deb 04 May 1909 vol 4 cc882-3
Mr. BOLAND

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the repairing ship "Buccaneer" has lately repaired two breaks in one of the main transatlantic cables, at distances of 54 and 58 miles, respectively, from Waterville, and that the damaged parts of the cable which were recovered prove conclusively that the breaks were caused by trawlers; and whether, seeing that no less than 11 trawlers were reported operating in the immediate vicinity of the repair, he will take any, and, if so, what, steps to prevent this destruction of private property in peace time?

Mr. BUXTON

It has been reported to me that injuries to one of the transatlantic cables have recently occurred in the locality mentioned in the hon. Member's question, and that they are attributed by the cable company concerned to trawlers. I appreciate the seriousness of these interruptions, and I trust that the steps which it is proposed to take with a view to minimise them will prove effective. I would refer my hon. Friend to an answer which I gave him to a question on the same subject on 17th December last to the following effect: In consultation with the President of the Board of Trade, I appointed a Committee last summer which carefully investigated the whole question. The Committee had before it a proposal made by certain of the cable companies that trawlers should be excluded from an area extending some 70 miles from the shore in which damage attributed by the companies to trawlers had occurred. The Committee considered this proposal impracticable, a view in which His Majesty's Government concur. It reported, however, in favour of an alternative proposal made by certain cable companies, for the inspection of trawling gear, and steps are now being taken to give effect to this recommendation.

Mr. BOLAND

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps have been recently taken to give effect to the recommendation?

Mr. BUXTON

By the appointment of a further inspector. The matter is now before the Treasury, and I hope before long we shall have the inspector appointed.