§ 18. Lord Apsleyasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that whenever there is a heavy fall of wet snow, a gale of wind or a silver thaw, most of the telephone lines in Southern and Western England are brought down, especially those on exposed upland country or under trees in vale country; and whether, as it would be more economical, in view of the fact that there are now excellent trench-digging machines on the market, he will consider putting the majority of these wires under ground?
§ Major TryonI am sorry that during the recent snowstorms a considerable number of telephone subscribers' lines were put out of order; but I cannot accept the suggestion that most of the telephone lines in Southern and Western England are brought down whenever there is a snowstorm or gale. The recent snowstorms were exceptionally heavy in the south-western region, but even at the worst period the proportion of telephone subscribers' lines out of order in that region was less than 4 per cent. It is the policy of my Department to provide telephone service by underground wires in preference to overhead, wherever this would be reasonably economical; and over 14,500,000 miles or more than 90 per cent. of all Post Office telephone wires are already underground.
§ Lord ApsleyWould it be possible to utilise the services of unemployed men rather than take soldiers off their training, as has been done?
§ Major TryonI was not aware of that being done, but if my Noble Friend will 194 give me particulars I will go into the question. We do regard this matter as important, and in the year 1938–39 we spent over £9,000,000 on underground construction work.