§ Mr. Barnettasked the Postmaster-General (1) how many telephones were out of order in the Royton area in March and for how long; what was the cause; and why it took more than a week to rectify the faults;
(2) whether, in view of the long period during which telephone subscribers in Royton were without service in March, he will pay compensation; and by how much the rental will be reduced.
§ Mr. StonehouseFlooding of a major cable caused loss of service to about 1,600 subscribers in the Royton area at the end of March. Service to emergency lines was restored in a matter of hours and to ordinary lines progressively over 10 days. Over half were in service within five days. Repair work continued night and day but was slowed up because a special type of cable was involved. Compensation cannot be paid but subscribers will be given full rebate of rental for the period of interruption.