§ Sir D. THOMSONasked the Postmaster-General which telephone exchanges in Scotland suffered interruption, 1531W due to stormy weather, on seven days in total during 1936; and whether special attention is being paid to lines crossing exposed places to these exchanges?
§ Major TRYONThe telephone exchanges in question are as follows: Whalsay, Glendaruel, Fintry, Auchenmalg, Dundrennan, Kirkinnar, Port William, Crinan, Dunragit, Garlieston, Newluce, Sorbie and Iona. In the case of Whalsay the interruption was due to a breakdown of the submarine cable. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. Special methods of construction are used in exposed places with a view to preventing as far as possible such interruptions.
§ Sir D. THOMSONasked the Postmaster-General what is the additional cost per mile in laying underground telephone as compared with overhead poles carrying 20 wires; and whether he will consider installing underground cables at exposed places between towns where frequent interruption occurs in stormy weather?
§ Major TRYONThe additional cost varies according to the local conditions: on the average it is about £280 per mile. It is the policy of the Post Office to place trunk and junction telephone lines underground wherever it is practicable to do so, with due regard to the economic and other factors involved. At the present time 90 per cent. of the total wire mileage of Post Office lines is in underground cables.