§ Mr. NEWTONasked the Postmaster-General why, after accepting the applications of persons resident at Rowhedge, Essex, to be supplied with a telephone service at £6 per year, the Post Office now refuses to supply the service upon the terms contained in the contract made between the applicants and the Post Office; upon what principle the Post Office holds itself at liberty to break contracts duly entered into; and what remedy have the 2386W persons whose contracts with the Post Office have been broken?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELFour agreements for exchange lines at Rowhedge were made some years ago by the National Telephone Company, but the company were unable to complete the arrangements for laying a cable across the River Colne, and way-leave difficulties have made the route impracticable. The agreements, like all others, contained a provision for termination if reasonable way-leave facilities could not be obtained. The applicants have recently declined to make any additional payments towards the special expense of over £200 involved in the provision of a longer cable to obviate the wayleave difficulties, and it will be necessary therefore to terminate the agreements.