HC Deb 02 April 1913 vol 51 cc387-8
106. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present intention of the Post Office in respect of telegraphic communication between Rhum, Eigg, and Canna; whether he is aware that proprietors have built large houses and maintain large establishments in these islands in the faith that existing amenities will be continued and that civilised administration will not retrograde; that the proprietors have largely subscribed towards telegraphic facilities; that without such the National Insurance Act cannot be worked in often inaccessible Hebridean islands; that telegraphic communication is more needed and used by the inhabitants who occupy these islands all through the year than by the proprietors who are not permanent residents; that if telegraphic communication ceases the salvage of wrecks and the saving of lives will become exceedingly difficult, if not impossible; and whether it is proposed to demand higher contributions from the necessities of the proprietors, who are numerically few?

The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Captain Norton)

My right hon. Friend still hopes that the necessary guarantees for one-third of the loss on the telegraph business of the three islands will be forthcoming, and meanwhile he has refrained from fixing a date for the withdrawal of the facilities.

Sir J. D. REES

Is the Postmaster-General determined to deprive these islands of the advantages of communication unless he can squeeze one-third of the cost out of the proprietors, and, if so, does not he think that a very serious retrogression in administration?

Captain NORTON

No. The hon. Member need draw no such inference.

Sir J. D. REES

Is the hon. Gentleman or the Postmaster-General acquainted with the circumstances of these islands and how impossible it is to give them civilised administration without telegraphic communication?

Captain NORTON

The Postmaster-General knows all about it.

Mr. LYELL

Were the telegraphic facilities originally provided for these islands on a guarantee of the proprietors, and, if so, was the guarantee for a fixed time?

Captain NORTON

That is so.

Mr. J. M. HOGGE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these are islands to which the public are not admitted?

Captain NORTON

I am not aware of the fact that the public are not admitted.

Sir J. D. REES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the people of these islands are fishermen?

Captain NORTON

I am not aware.