HC Deb 20 June 1938 vol 337 cc695-6
48. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made with the installation of wireless telegraphy and the telephony system in the Outer Hebrides; and when it is to be in full operation?

Sir W. Womersley

The arrangements mentioned in my reply of 28th February to the hon. Member's earlier inquiry on the subject are progressing according to schedule. A good deal of construction work is involved, including the erection of buildings and aerials and the laying of submarine cables in difficult waters; but it is expected that call office facilities from Castlebay and Lochboisdale to the mainland will be available by the summer of 1939 and from Lochmaddy to the mainland by the end of that year. In addition, arrangements are being made to augment the existing cable telephone service between the islands of Lewis and Harris and the mainland by the provision of two wireless telephone channels, which it is hoped will be ready for service by October next. It is not proposed to provide wireless telegraph circuits to supplement the existing telegraph services.

49. Mr. MacMillan

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the sub-post office in the island of Scarp, in the Outer Hebrides, is the only one under Stornoway control which is without the telephone, and that there has been a demand for years for its installation, he will take action to meet this need of the people of the island and visitors to the place?

Sir W. Womersley

The provision of telephone service to the island of Scarp would involve the laying of a submarine cable and would be very costly. As there are only about 90 inhabitants on Scarp, the cost would be out of all proportion to the telephone revenue likely to be obtained; and I regret that the desired extension could not be justified.

Mr. MacMillan

Does the hon. Gentleman's reply mean that the abject poverty of the Post Office is the only obstacle?

Sir W. Womersley

No, Sir. It is the uneconomic proposal put forward by the hon. Member.

Mr. MacMillan

Does not the convenience of the people, who, after all, do subscribe to the national revenue, enter into it at all?

Sir W. Womersley

We always take into account the convenience of the people, but we also have to take into account the British taxpayer.

Mr. MacMillan

Is it not a fact that 99 people in that place are just as important, and may be just as good revenue payers, as 99 people anywhere else?

Sir W. Womersley

My information is 90.