§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Postmaster-General whether it is intended to erect telephone poles along Selborne Road, Southgate, North; whether he has re- 2252W ceived any petition from the inhabitants of the road in question against the erection of such poles; whether they were informed that a certain number of new subscribers was necessary in order that their wishes with regard to an underground service should be met; whether an adequate number of new subscribers was obtained; and whether, in view of the fact that underground wires are already laid at the end of Selborne Road, he is prepared to meet the desire of the occupants of Selborne Road in the matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELA year ago protests from the residents in Selborne Road were received and since then the question has been thoroughly considered. The residents were informed by the Southgate Council that underground work might be provided if six subscribers in the road were forthcoming, as under a general scheme laid by the Post Office before the Middlesex Councils Association an offer was made to provide underground work if six subscribers per half-mile of route were forthcoming, provided that the councils on their part would agree to certain conditions. The scheme was, however, rejected by the association and consequently the offer of underground work no longer held good. I regret that I am unable to meet the wishes of the residents in view of the heavy capital cost of underground work, about £200 as compared with £20, the cost of an overhead line.