§ Sir JOHN ROLLESTONasked the Postmaster-General if, under the Telegraphs 407W Construction Act, 1908, the Post Office, failing agreement, compulsorily break up live hedges growing on the freehold of a landowner and place telegraph poles therein without any compensation for damage or without payment for the use of the land?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELUnder the Telegraph Construction Act, 1908, the Post Office, failing agreement with a landowner, can appeal to a stipendiary magistrate or county court and can, if dissatisfied, further appeal to the Railway Commissioners for power to construct a telegraphic line over, along, or across a hedge, bank, or land within twenty feet of a road, and if such power is granted can proceed with the work. The landowner has an equal right of appeal to the Railway Commissioners. The court to which the appeal is made can impose payment for the use of the land. Compensation for damage done in the exercise of the powers conferred by the Telegraph Acts is provided for by the Act of 1863.