§ Mr. CASSELSasked the Postmaster-General if it is the policy of his Department wherever possible to do away with poles for carrying telegraph and telephone wires; and. if so, whether he will reconsider any schemes involving the erection of poles with a view to the wires being placed underground?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe substitution of underground for overhead plant, wherever the expense is justified, has been the policy of the Post Office for many years. Generally speaking, owing to the heavy cost, it is not economical to provide underground plant for a few subscribers, but in any section where there is a reasonable prospect of at least 12 new circuits, that is 24 wires, being required within a few years, underground cables are provided.