§ 28. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of restoring direct telegraph working between Liverpool and the Continent; whether Press messages to the Continent are given priority over commercial work; and whether, in view of the delay to all Continental traffic, he will consider the possibility of restoring direct working between Liverpool and France and Liverpool and Belgium, and cancel the instructions which give priority to any Press work?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHArrangements are being made with the French telegraph administration for the restoration of direct telegraph working between Liverpool and France. Pending the repair of the Anglo-Belgian cables it is impracticable to arrange for direct working between Liverpool and Belgium, but this question will be pursued as soon as the cables can be restored. Press traffic for the Continent has, to a certain extent, been given priority during the War over ordinary traffic for reasons of national importance, but now that the censorship has been withdrawn I have arranged with the Government Departments concerned that, this practice shall be discontinued.