HC Deb 21 March 1911 vol 23 cc242-3
Mr. KEBTY-FLETCHER

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the frequent cause of the delay of the transmission of telegrams between the Liverpool and London Stock Exchanges?

Mr. BRADY

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask whether it is not the fact that the members of the Dublin Exchange have laboured under this grievance notwithstanding that they have made complaint and that they are paying a heavy rate for private wires?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Captain Norton)

I have no-information here as to the service of the Dublin Stock Exchange. My information relates to the question on the Paper. The complete returns were taken during three days of last week of the traffic between the Liverpool and London Stock Exchanges, and I find that on the first day only 4 per cent. occupied more than ten minutes in transmission, 2 per cent. on the second day, and 9 per cent. on the third day, that is taking the three days together 95 per cent. of the messages occupied not more than ten minutes in transmission. The Threadneedle Street telegraph office is about to be rebuilt, the House having now sanctioned the preliminary expenditure which is necessary, and if the London Stock Exchange give certain facilities which are desirable, the new building will give room for the installation of additional apparatus, for which there is now no space. The Postmaster- General hopes to be able then to give a service more rapid than now in times of pressure.

Mr. KEBTY-FLETCHER

Will the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the great injustice to Stock Exchanges caused through delay?

Captain NORTON

The delay is not admitted. The delay is not very marked, and we hope to perfect matters in a short time.

Mr. BRADY

So far as the Dublin Stock Exchange is concerned, will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries into these grievances which are within my personal knowledge?

Captain NORTON

Certainly.