§ 24. Sir J. Mellorasked the Postmaster-General whether the reorganisation of the Birmingham telephone service is intended to extend to the telephone services of Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Olton, Shirley, and Castle Bromwich; and whether acceleration of the supply of telephones to applicants residing in these districts is one of the purposes of the reorganisation?
§ Major TryonThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, as I have already informed my hon. Friend, measures were put in hand some time ago with a view to providing additional plant in the places in question, and these measures are being continued.
§ Mr. CartlandIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is serious delay in supplying telephones in the City of Birmingham area itself, and will he look into that?
§ Major TryonI can assure my hon. Friend that I am aware of the difficulties in Birmingham. They are owing to the exceptional development there, which we are doing our best to meet.
§ 27. Mr. Pethick-Lawrenceasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in Portobello there is frequently a delay of several months between the application for a telephone and its instalment; and whether he will take steps to accelerate the procedure?
§ Major TryonSerious difficulty is being experienced in providing telephone service in Portobello as a result of an abnormal increase in the number of would-be subscribers, which has given rise to a certain shortage of plant. Additional equipment 800 has been on order for some time and is now being installed. It is expected to be ready early in the New Year. The position is also affected by a shortage of equipment at the main Central Exchange at Edinburgh. Work is proceeding at this exchange also and it is anticipated that the difficulty will be entirely removed by April next.