§ Considered in Committee.
§ [Sir EDWIN CORNWALL in the Chair.]
§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys provided by Parliament, of any expenditure incurred by the Postmaster-General under any Act of the present Session to confirm an agreement between the Pneumatic Despatch Company, Limited, and the Postmaster-General in relation to the acquisition of a certain tube running between St. Martin's-le-Grand, in the City of London, and Eversholt Street, in the Metropolitan borough of St. Pancras, and for purposes connected therewith."—[Mr. Hilton Young.]
Mr. MALONEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman representing the Post Office to tell us something about this Resolution?
§ 8.0 p.m.
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Pike Pease)I shall be very glad to do so. My right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General made a statement in the House with regard to this matter, but I may say this is in connection with the sale of an underground tube, £7,500. This tube has not been of any service to anyone. It was made about fifty years ago, and the Post Office have the opportunity of using it in connection with their new line which they are laying down If that tube were used, the cost to the State would be £11,200, but if a new tube were desired and arranged for, it would cost 2016 £53,500. My right hon. Friend gave a pledge to this House that nothing would be done to interfere with local authorities' rights.
Mr. MALONEIs the reconsideration of this matter, after the lapse of 50 years, an indication that the Post Office is going to adopt a similar tube to the efficient tube in use in Paris, which enables letters and parcels to be distributed about the city quickly, or is it based on any other reasons?
§ Sir E. BARTLEY-DENNISSIs not this a tube that goes through Newgate Street; is it not for the purpose of laying a telephone line, and is not the cost of laying a new telephone line something like £40,000?
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Resolution to be reported To-morrow.