§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Postmaster-General the number of men, other than those transferred from the late National Telephone Company, employed in the engineering branch of the Department at the 1st October, 1912?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe force, which includes many gang-hands, varies from day to day, and the information asked for by the hon. Member could only be obtained by special inquiry.
§ Sir JOHN RANDLESasked the Postmaster-General whether the engagements for leave to erect telephone poles and to enter the property of private owners for purposes of repair of wires are being continued or does he claim a right in these cases that did not belong to the National Telephone Company; and will he say whether the Department claims that lights and privileges that belong to the Department of telegraphs shall be extended to the telephone system without any consideration or payment to the persons who have hitherto been remunerated by the National Telephone Company but who are not now being so remunerated?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt has been decided in the Courts that a telephone is in law a telegraph, and the provisions of the Telegraph Acts therefore apply to the plant, which I acquired from the National Telephone Company on 3lst December, just as they applied to the telephone system previously belonging to the Post Office. But, generally speaking, the powers of the Postmaster-General with regard to wayleaves on private property are no greater than those of the National Telephone Company, and, in the majority of cases, I am continuing the arrangements made by the company for wayleaves on private property, although I am advised that the agreements relating to those wayleaves are not legally binding either upon me or upon the property owners.
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a largely signed petition from the town and neighbourhood of Tisbury, in Wilts., asking for the instalment of the telephone system there; and, if so, whether, in view of the handicap to trade and industry in that town and district 522W resulting from the absence of telephone facilities, he will without delay cause such deficiency to be made good?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have received the petition referred to, and Tisbury has recently been canvassed for telephone subscribers. If it is found that the support which has been promised is sufficient to justify the expenditure, an Exchange will be established.