HC Deb 27 June 1921 vol 143 cc1811-2
79. Lieut.-Colonel HURST

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the excessive delay in the transmission of cablegrams between Manchester and India and the Far East; whether he is aware that the only means of telegraphing within reasonable time is by paying treble rates for urgent telegrams, while ordinary cables often take a week to arrive from India; what are the reasons for this delay; and whether he will take action in order to remove the consequent handicap to business?

Mr. PEASE

The serious delays that have recently occurred on the Eastern Telegraph Company's cables to India and the Far East have been due to cable interruptions, some of which have been caused by the necessity of renewing certain sections of their cables in the Red Sea, which were in bad condition. Moreover, the cable between the United States and the Far East was interrupted for several weeks, thus throwing the whole of the American traffic with the Far East on to the Eastern Company's lines. I am assured by the company that every effort is being made to reduce the delays. An improvement has been effected during the last few days; and as soon as the work in the Red Sea is completed—probably within the next fortnight—it is hoped that the present exceptional delays will cease.