§ Mr. BENNETT - GOLDNEYasked whether similar consents and wayleaves are required by the Post Office for the erection of, or continuation of, a line of telephone posts and wires on or over common lands or lands forming a part of the waste of a manor as were required by the National Telephone Company; if such posts and wires are subject to the same conditions of removal as those which prevailed under the National Telephone Company; and if he will say in what respects the rights of the Post Office differ from those of the old telephone company?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe position of the Postmaster-General in this matter differs from that of the National Telephone Company. The company's wayleave rights, apart from rights delegated under the Telegraph Act of 1892 depended entirely upon the common law, but the rights and obligations of the Post Office are defined under the Telegraph Acts, 1863–11. It is difficult therefore to give a general answer to the hon. Member's question, but if he will communicate to me the particulars of any specific case he has in mind, I will endeavour to give him the information he desires.