§ 72 Mr. NORTON - GRIFFITHSasked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware of the delays which take place in the installation or extension of the telephone service throughout the Midlands; that many weeks elapse before a service can be obtained, yet alone repairs to existing services; and whether, in view of the importance of the matter to one of the leading industrial centres of this country, he will have special inquiries made with a view to giving a quick service to those requiring a telephone; (2) if the delays in connection with the installation of telephones in the Birmingham district are caused through the number of men not being sufficient to cope with the demand; and if he will inquire as to whether any addition to the present engineering staff can be made; and (3) if he is aware that the Birmingham post office telephone authority has stated that certain routes at Darlaston are full and that they cannot take any more subscribers until additions have been made, which, it is stated, will take some months; and, in view of the importance of this industrial centre and the inconvenience and loss of trade which is likely to result through such delays, if he can state what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware that in the Birmingham district, as in some other parts of the country, there is 1186 delay in providing lines for new subscribers, and in some cases for existing subscribers who remove to new addresses. Owing to the diminution of construction works by the National Telephone Company during the last few years of their licence, large numbers of new underground lines are now required, and numerous exchanges have to be provided or extended in addition to those constructed by the Post Office last year. Such works necessarily occupy a considerable time, but they are being urgently pressed on, and the ordinary staff is being increased for the purpose as rapidly as good workmen can be obtained.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the occasion of the last great storm, when the telephones were under private management, the repairs were proceeded with promptly; and is he aware that it is believed that it is red tape that is strangling the repairs?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThose questions have nothing to do with the question of storms.
§ Mr. BRADYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in reference to the delay, is it not a fact that a considerable delay over twelve months—has taken place in Dublin in consequence of the lack of mains, and will the activity spoken of be extended to that city to lay down the mains for the purpose of supplying the telephones?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, as I have already stated in reply to previous questions, every effort is being made to meet the arrears of construction work in Dublin which followed on the transfer of the system.