asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why it is necessary in this country in rural areas to have one series of poles to convey the wires for electric light and power and another series of poles to carry the wires for telephones and so forth when, in other countries, both these series of lines are carried on one series of poles; and if he will confer with the Postmaster-General with a view to ending this practice.

Major Lloyd George:

There are technical considerations which seriously limit the use of the same pole by electricity wires and telephone wires but nevertheless the practice is not unknown in this country. I have consulted my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General who agrees that our two Departments should confer and examine the possibility of extending the joint user of poles.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend make use of the postal facilities and write to the United States, where he will find that there are many thousands of miles over which this is done and all the technical disabilities are overcome; and is he aware that the failure to do this, is preventing electricity from going into rural areas?

Major Lloyd George:

I am certainly prepared and, indeed, I shall be glad, to examine that but, as my hon. Friend is aware, many of the rural areas up to now have been equipped with telephone only, and in many cases the pole is not of sufficient size to carry the other wire.