HC Deb 08 February 1937 vol 320 cc37-8
70. Sir R. Ross

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make any statement as to the progress of the work of providing an adequate number of telephone lines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland?

Major Tryon

An order has been placed for the manufacture of two submarine cables, which will be laid this year between Donaghadee and Port Kail in Wigtownshire, where they will be connected with underground cables which are to be laid to Belfast and Stranraer respectively. These cables are of a new type; the associated equipment is also of a special kind and its manufacture and installation must necessarily occupy some time, but I hope that 20 additional channels will be ready for use in the Spring of 1938.

Sir R. Ross

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this addition will be adequate, and that it will then be possible to treat that part of the United Kingdom in the same way as the rest of the United Kingdom as regards charges?

Major Tryon

There is not a uniform rate of charge throughout the United Kingdom. While not making any promise now, I will review the question of charges when this work is concluded.