HC Deb 26 March 1913 vol 50 cc1648-50
82. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Hull Corporation have been given the option of purchasing the telephone exchanges in the Hull district at present under the control of the Department; and, if such option has been given, the intentions of the Department regarding the staff at present employed in those exchanges?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

An application has been made by the Hull Corporation for a new licence for their existing telephone exchange business in the Hull area, and they have been informed that the purchase of the local system taken over from the National Telephone Company will be a necessary condition of such a licence. They have also been informed that it will be necessary to make satisfactory arrangements so as to involve no hardship to any members of the telephone staff now in the employment of the Post Office whose transfer to the corporation system may be desirable.

83. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the number of members of the electrical staff transferred from the National Telephone Company who have resigned from the service since the transfer?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

About eighty members of the electrical staff transferred from the National Telephone Company, out of a total of over 1,300, have resigned from the service since the transfer.

84. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Postmaster-General, having regard to the fact that on the 31st January, 1913, he decided that he would not discuss the question of lodging allowances to telephone employés because the Select Committee intended to make an interim Report on the matter, and seeing that the Committee has no such intention, whether he will now personally deal with the matter?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am informed that the Select Committee has not arrived at any such conclusion as that suggested in the question.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has any information that the Select Committee do intend to issue an interim Report?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am not sure that they have actually arrived at a decision, but I have had some communication with the Chairman of the Committee on the question.

87. Mr. RONALD M'NEILL

asked the Postmaster-General whether for some time past there has been a growing demand for telephone facilities in the village of Wingham, Kent; and whether he will take steps to afford such facilities in Wingham without further delay?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I have had a canvass made at Wingham, and estimates of the cost of providing a telephone exchange there are now being prepared. I hope soon to be in a position to say whether the provision of such facilities would be justified.