§ Lord APSLEYasked the Postmaster-General how many miles of telephone and telegraph lines were relaid underground in 1928 and at what cost; and whether he is making any arrangements with electricity supply companies with a view to securing their co-operation where new electric cables are being laid in the same district?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONDucts and cables containing approximately 600,000 miles of wire, were laid underground during 1928 at a cost of £4,230,000. About 40,000 miles of this represents diversion of overhead wire. Arrangements have been in operation for some time past for the exchange of information between the Post Office and other undertakers, including electricity supply companies, in regard to projected underground works, and every endeavour is made to secure co-ordination in this respect; but as I have already explained it is undesirable to lay telephone or telegraph lines in very close contiguity to power circuits.