HC Deb 28 April 1913 vol 52 c824W
Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the telegraph wires to the North and West of England and Scotland are underground; how long have these underground wires been so carried, stating how many cases of breakdown have occurred during the period referred to; are any telegraphic wires to Ireland carried underground; if so, which; and will he state the number of cases of breakdown which have occurred, respectively, to the system known as underground and overland?

Captain NORTON

The length of the underground cable from London to Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Newcastle, is 764½ miles, of which 133 miles are in Scotland. The length of the cable from London to Plymouth, Porthcurno, Weston, and Cardiff is 406½ miles, and from Birmingham to Berkeley Heath, 65½ miles. The construction of the first section of an underground line between Birmingham and London was begun in 1897, and the system has been extended gradually since that year. The number of circuits in the northern and western underground cables varies in different sections, ranging from seven in the short section between Penzance and Porthcurno, to about one hundred between London and Birmingham. Twelve important Irish circuits are carried for considerable distances in the underground cables. The statistics for which the hon. Member asks in connection with breakdowns are not available.