Major Millsasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the unsatisfactory way in which trenches in high roads which have been 1419W made by contractors on behalf of the Post Office are filled in and maintained until the proper time arrives for their permanent repair; and whether he will arrange that all such trenches should be repaired in future at the expense of the Post Office by those highway authorities who are willing to do so?
§ Major TryonComplaints of unsatisfactory reinstatement of Post Office trenches are, I am glad to say, rare. Highway authorities who so desire are entitled, under the Telegraph Acts, to undertake, at the expense of the Post Office, the restoration of road surfaces in cases of this kind. It is found in practice, however, that many of the authorities prefer that the whole of the work should be carried out by the Post Office or its contractors. I understand that the hon. Member's question is prompted by difficulties which unfortunately arose in a particular locality where this was the arrangement adopted. I will communicate with him as regards the circumstances of the case which were entirely exceptional.