HC Deb 30 January 1913 vol 47 cc1508-9
80. Mr. PIRIE

asked the Postmaster-General if he would state the total number of, and the mileage of, the shorter underground telegraph lines in England apart from the 1,197 of main underground routes, and if these are shown on the map of the system which has been supplied to the Scottish Members; and what is the approximate area in square miles of Scotland north of Falkirk, the northernmost point of this system, including the islands of the Hebrides and the Lewis?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

In most of the large towns of the United Kingdom short sections of telegraph lines have been laid in underground pipes in many cases in the pipes provided for the telephone service of such towns. The practice in this respect is the same in similar circumstances throughout the United Kingdom. It would be a matter of considerable difficulty and expense to ascertain the total number of mileage of these sections, and I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by obtaining the figures. The underground lines of this class are not shown in the map of the main underground telegraph system recently supplied, and it would be impracticable to show them except on a map of much larger scale. I regret that there is no special information in the Post Office as to the area in square miles of the parts of Scotland referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

Mr. GWYNNE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why this matter does not equally apply to English Members as well as Scottish Members?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Because they have not asked for it.

Mr. GWYNNE

When a Paper is issued to the House, is it not issued to all the Members of the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman issue it to all the Members now?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

It is not a Parliamentary Paper at all; it is a Departmental Paper. I was asked to issue it to the Scottish Members, as I have done. I have also placed a copy of it in the Library, where it is accessible to every Member. If there is a general desire to have a map of the underground telegraph system of this country I shall furnish it, but I think, as a rule, hon. Members do not wish it.

Mr. GWYNNE

The map seems to me to contain no underground telegraphy, except in England. There is very little in Scotland?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

It was precisely for that reason that the Scottish Members wanted it.