42. Captain MARTINasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the large number of subscribers and its near proximity to London, he will consider as to putting the telephone line from London to Southend on the toll exchange instead of it being a trunk call as at present?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)Southend cannot be served through the toll exchange until additional circuits necessary to afford a no-delay service are avail able, and the provision of these circuits is dependent upon the completion of the new arterial road between London and Southend.
Captain MARTINIs the right hon Gentleman aware that something like 15 miles from the town there is no through connection?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSYes, I am aware of that. Certainly there are some gaps in the roads and bridges which have not yet been completed, and until that is done, we cannot get on with the other work.