HC Deb 17 May 1927 vol 206 cc1003-4W
Captain MACDONALD

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the telegraph cable between Alderney and Guernsey has been now broken for about six weeks; whether there is any reason why it has not hitherto been repaired; and whether, seeing that the cable breaks nearly every winter, with the result that communication between the islands and the mainland is becoming increasingly difficult, he will have a thorough investigation made into the present telegraphic system?

Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON

The telegraph cable between Alderney and Guernsey was reported faulty on the 4th of April and was repaired on the 7th instant. The repair could not be effected earlier because a cable ship was not available. There have been seven interruptions of this cable during the past 14 years. The traffic is, I fear, too small to warrant the expense of providing a second cable or a wireless installation.