§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Postmaster-General, whether he was aware that, in spite of the representations which had been made, considerable damage was being caused to the transatlantic cables by the operations of steam trawlers off Ballins-kellig's Bay; and whether, in view of the fact that a number of cables have had to be renewed and that it was now proposed to lay two new cables, he could state what steps would be taken to prevent damage in future?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Captain Norton)The most recent case brought to my notice of damage to a trans-Atlantic cable attributable to the operations of steam trawlers occurred in November last. As the hon. Member is aware, an Inter-Departmental Committee considered this question in the summer of 1908, and reported in favour of a system of inspection of trawling gear as the most practical means of minimising such damage. Such a system of inspection is now in force at the ports concerned throughout the United Kingdom.