§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the demand at Mere, in Wilts, from a considerable number of would-be subscribers for the installation there of the long-promised telephone service, and that its absence tends to restrict the development of agricultural and other industries and especially of the important furniture business for which the town has become famous; and whether, as the inquiry by the postmaster at Shepton Mallet as to prospective telephone customers at Mere 2144 was quite inadequate to gauge the demands of the inhabitants, he will cause further inquiry to be made by some other responsible official of his Department?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe result of the recent canvass at Mere for telephone subscribers resulted in six agreements only being obtained. I think that more subscribers than this should be obtained in the town, and I will arrange shortly for another canvass to be made.