§ 57. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the considerable delays now taking place on the London-Paris telephone; where the fault lies; and whether he will undertake to look into the matter without delay?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Mitchell-Thomson)The delay on the London-Paris telephone service has been due to the simultaneous interruption during foggy weather of four out of the seven submarine cables through which the circuits pass. It is not possible to prevent cables being cut by ships' anchors or damaged by other causes during exceptional weather conditions, especially in the crowded and shallow waters of the Straits of Dover, but I can assure my hon. Friend that repairs are being effected as quickly as possible.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that this service has been very poor for some considerable time, and that it was worse during the recent storm?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI think of late the service has been a good deal better than it was before. As my hon. Friend is aware, we hope to bring a new and much larger cable into service as soon as possible.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINDoes the Postmaster-General not realise that complaints have been made very frequently from many business houses that the ser- 603 vice does not compare with the service to the cities of Northern Europe?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMy hon. Friend must remember that not only His Majesty's Government but other Governments are also affected.