23 and 24. Mr. JOHN RUTHERFORDasked the Postmaster-General (1) how many telephone subscribers to the Tottenham and Enfield Exchanges reside in Edmonton;
(2) whether it is intended to erect a telephone exchange in connection with the new Crown office recently erected at Edmonton?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Major Tryon)There are approximately 730 subscribers within the urban district of Edmonton connected with the Tottenham exchange and 790 with the Enfield exchange. Under present conditions the cost of providing a separate telephone exchange at Edmonton would not be justified.
Mr. RUTHERFORDIn view of the very great growth of that district, which will probably mean many more people wishing to become telephone subscribers, does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that it would be wise to acquire at the present time a site for a telephone exchange there? It will undoubtedly be wanted in the future, and he can now get a site in a suitable position and at less expense?
§ Major TRYONThe economic size of a telephone exchange in outer London is about 6,000 subscribers, and the figures which I have given to the hon. Member will suggest that it will be a long time before the number of subscribers there is likely to justify an exchange.