§ 75. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked what are the terms of the licence to the Hull Corporation to work its own telephone system; and whether the grant of such licence indicates a policy of decentralisation in the telephone service?
§ Captain NORTONThe terms of the proposed new licence to the Hull Corporation are still under discussion. They will not differ materially from those of the licence under which the corporation worked its telephone system up to the end of 1911, except that the term of the new licence will be twenty-one years from the 1st January, 1912. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The only other municipal telephone system, which belongs to the corporation of Portsmouth and has a licence to 1926, is about to be taken over by the Post Office on purchase.
§ 77. Sir RICHARD COOPERasked the Postmaster-General if he has decided to instal a telephone exchange in Bloxwich; and, if so, when he expects it to be open for use?
§ Captain NORTONThe establishment of an exchange at Bloxwich has been sanctioned, and negotiations for the necessary accommodation are now in a forward state. It will not, however, be possible to open the exchange for some months owing to the amount of new construction work on hand.
§ 78. Mr. FLAVINasked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state when the extension of the trunk telephone system will be extended from Tralee to Listowel?
§ Captain NORTONI regret that I am not yet in a position to give the information desired. I am awaiting a Report on the financial aspect of the scheme, and hope to be able to give a decision in the matter shortly.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this question has been under consideration for three years, and will he expedite the matter as much as possible?
§ Captain NORTONWe are endeavouring to expedite the matter, but we are in great difficulties in reference to these arrangements, more especially as regards Ireland.