§ 60. Sir THOMAS WATTSasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the delays in the transmission of telegrams from Manchester to other cities owing to the fact that they are not sent direct, but that, for example, a telegram from Manchester to Glasgow is sent through London; and, having regard to the loss and inconvenience, particularly in the case of stock exchange messages, will he take steps to have the whole system reorganised?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)I am aware that complaints have been made, but I am satisfied that a reasonably expeditious service is being afforded. The amount of traffic does not warrant the provision of direct circuits between the Exchanges in question.
§ Sir T. WATTSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of a telegram sent from the Manchester Stock Exchange at 2 o'clock a reply cannot be received until after the Exchange is closed; that on the following day prices have changed and the business cannot be put through?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI realise that there is an increase in time of transmission as compared with the use of a direct line, but the traffic between these Stock Exchanges does not warrant this line.
§ Sir T. WATTSDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that these delays would occur if the telegraph system of the country was operated by a private company?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMy hon. Friend must remember that the traffic in question is only very small and would not warrant giving this direct line for the amount involved. There is, in fact, a direct line from Manchester to London Stock Exchange and from London to Glasgow Stock Exchange, and that is the most expeditious way of handling the traffic without the use of a direct Manchester-Glasgow circuit.
§ Sir T. WATTSWhy send a message from Manchester to Glasgow through London?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL- THOMSONBecause it is the quickest.