§ Mr. WATTasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that where traders in the Glasgow district seek either extension of their telephone or erection of 646 a new wire they are told by the National Company that such business cannot be undertaken without the sanction of the officials in his Department, and that that sanction is not likely to be given; and will he adopt some method of dealing with offers of new telephone business which will not inconvenience traders?
§ Captain NORTONProbably the hon. hon. Member refers to the arrangement under which the extension of telephonic facilities is undertaken in some districts of Glasgow by the Post Office and in others by the National Telephone Company. The object is to avoid the duplication of the plant of the two systems in view of the impending transfer of the company's system to the Post Office. The company rightly refuse to provide facilities in districts served by the Post Office exchanges. If there are any cases in such districts in which the requirements of traders and others appear not to be met by the Post Office, I shall be glad to have particulars.
§ Mr. WATTIs it the case that in no district in Glasgow where business is offered to the National Telephone Company, and there is an appeal about this business, it will come under the right hon. Gentleman's Department?