§ 108. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Messrs. Twyford, Limited, of the Cliffe Vale Potteries, Hanley, entered into a contract with the Post Office for the fixing of a telephone on 26th February, and have been informed by the district manager on 9th April that it will be two or three months before the work can be done; and will he take steps to obviate such delay?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The delay in providing Messrs. Twyford, Limited, with a telephone service is due to extreme pressure of work in the Potteries District. I am, however, having inquiries made as to what steps can be taken to expedite the fulfilment of this and other outstanding orders.
§ 109. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet decided to grant an extension of the telephone service from Limerick to Rathkeale and Newcastle West; and, having regard to the fact that many small towns in the county of Limerick have got the telephone service where the need for it is not so great, will he explain why there should be any difficulty in extending it to the large towns?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELAs the hon. Member was informed on the 2nd instant, the question of an extension to Rathkeale and Newcastle West is under inquiry. I will not fail to communicate with him as soon as I am able to furnish any definite information. In answer to the second part of the question, the matter is governed by the expenditure involved and the amount of support obtainable in each case.
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the right hon. Gentleman also make inquiry as to a further extension to Listowel?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, Sir, I will.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYIf sufficient support can be guaranteed, will the right hon. Gentleman grant an extension from Limerick to Rathkeale and Newcastle West?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELCertainly, if sufficient support is forthcoming, and if there is no special reason to the contrary.