§ Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Postmaster-General the number of times on which either the direct or indirect cable to Lerwick has required repair during the last 10 years; how long the present interruption of the indirect cable has continued, and when both it or the direct cable, which broke on Thursday last, are likely to be repaired; and whether the wireless station at Lerwick was available for relief service on the complete interruption of the cable service?
§ Mr. VIANTThe direct cable to Lerwick has been interrupted seven times during the last 10 years, and the indirect cable 14 times during the same 1881W period. Both cables have been interrupted simultaneously five times only during the last 30 years. The indirect cable was reported faulty at the end of last year; and it is hoped that both cables will be restored within the next few weeks. There is now no wireless station at Lerwick, but as soon as the main cable was reported to be faulty, immediate steps were taken to provide a temporary wireless installation; and communication by this means was opened on the 11th instant—two days after notification of the interruption of the direct cable.