MR. LLOYD MORGAN (Carmarthenshire, W.)To ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the Post Office authorities about eighteen months ago laid telephonic wires through certain parts of the Paddington district, and that the houses in the district have not yet been connected with the wires, and
† See (4) Debates, ci., 1323.
915 whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to the residents, he will give instructions to have the work completed as soon as possible; and will he state when it is proposed to complete the telephonic system in the district referred to.
(Answered by Mr. Austen. Chamberlain.) The underground wires referred to by the hon. Member are to be connected with a new exchange which is being established in Bird Street, Oxford Street, and will be known as the Mayfair Exchange. Unexpected difficulties occurred in the acquisition of the premises in which the exchange is to be situated, but the necessary structural alterations were begun in the autumn, and the Office of Works expect that they will be completed in about four months. The installation of the switchboard will then be at once taken in hand, and must, I fear, occupy four or five months more. I will do everything in my power to hasten the opening of this exchange.