§ 58. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Postmaster-General what is being done to increase the number of telephone call boxes in villages and railway stations in North-east Lincolnshire which have none installed; and how many railway stations and villages of over 200 inhabitants are still without these facilities?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Viscount Wolmer)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my right hon. Friend's statement in the House on the 31st March last about the development of the telephone system in rural areas generally and to the replies to questions 408 by the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Captain Crookshank) on the 17th and 28th November about call offices at rural railway stations. As regards the last part of the question, I regret that statistics in the form desired are not available.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIs the Noble Lord aware that there is great dissatisfaction in the country districts owing to the slowness with which the telephone and telegraph services are provided, especially in areas where the people have to go a long distance to obtain the services of a doctor.
§ Viscount WOLMERI am aware of that, but it is a question of expense.