HC Deb 15 January 1913 vol 46 cc2078-9
67. Mr. FALCONER

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in consequence of the gale of Friday night and Saturday morning the telegraphic service in the East of Scotland was again interrupted; that on Sunday night the Post Office was unable to provide the Dundee and Aberdeen newspapers with special wires, and normal telegraphic facilities were otherwise curtailed; that telephonic communication between London and Dundee on Sunday night was so bad as to be practically useless; whether, in these circumstances, he will reconsider the question of extending the underground cable to Dundee and Aberdeen; and whether he is aware that the interruption which was practically complete in the telegraphic service with the East of Scotland during Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday was continued over Monday and Tuesday, and that a very serious state of matters has arisen affecting the commercial interests of Dundee and Aberdeen?

69. Mr. ESSLEMONT

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that serious telegraphic delays have occurred in Aberdeen for several days; and what steps he proposes to take in order to remove this long-standing grievance?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

My information is that the interruption of communication has not been complete, and only delay has been experienced. As a result of the storm at the end of last week, I had to give notice of telegraphic delay to Ireland, to the Midlands, and North of England, as well as to Scotland; and the delay of telegrams for Dundee and Aberdeen was not more than that of telegrams to many parts of England. The arrangement under which special wires are provided for the Dundee and Aberdeen newspapers (as for other newspapers) for a rental fixed by Statute, which is not enough to pay even the cost of the telegraphists employed, expressly provides that the wires are to be given up whenever they are wanted for the public service. As regards the telephones, the facts are as stated, but it is not at present practicable, for technical reasons, to lay long distance telephone conductors underground.

Mr. R. HARCOURT

In view of the replies given yesterday and that answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

Mr. WHYTE

May I ask whether in Perthshire and the city of Perth the same ill-effects are not experienced whenever there is a storm?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am afraid whenever there is a storm which affects the overhead lines many places, unfortunately, suffer.