§ Major GLYNasked the Postmaster-General how many instances there have been within the last two years of Post Office telephone cables being damaged by stray currents from public traction undertakings; whether, as these breakdowns cause a great deal of inconvenience to the telephone subscribers and frequent loss of business, without compensation, either the Post Office or the tramways' advisers have any remedy; and what steps, if any, the Post Office propose to take to avoid these breakdowns in future?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAbout 300 such cases have occurred. The onus of preventing the leakage of injurious currents from their systems rests on the undertakers, but as far as possible attempts are made by the Post Office to limit the harmful effects of currents picked up by the cable sheaths by ensuring that they leave for earth by metallic conduction. Further, representations are made to tramway authorities in individual cases urging them to work their systems within the limits prescribed in the Ministry of Transport Regulations and to take such other remedial steps as may be necessary.