§ 11. Mr. MILLSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there are 100 ex-service cable-workers and 103 civilian workers in that industry registering as unemployed, in addition to many women usually engaged in the same industry, and that there is a shortage of cables on the trade routes and elsewhere; and if he will recommend to the Departments concerned the need for quicker decision as to renewals and development?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Pike Pease)I have been asked to answer this question.
10 Orders for telegraph and telephone cables for renewal and development works are being placed as expeditiously as possible. I hope to be able to invite additional tenders for telephone cable at an early date.
§ Mr. MILLSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that one instance quite near home is the cable communication between this country and the Western Isles of Scotland?
§ Mr. PEASEI am very sympathetic to the case mentioned by the hon. Member, and I will look into it.