§ 4. Sir J. Mellorasked the Postmaster-General what, approximately, is the current average interval of time between applications for telephone service and its provision in Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Olton, Shirley, Knowle, Hampton-in-Arden, and Marston Green, respectively; what steps have been, or will be, taken to reduce the delay; and to what extent are such steps expected to accelerate provision of telephone service?
§ Major TryonParticulars of the average interval of time between application and provision of service are not recorded for individual exchanges. Taking the Birmingham area as a whole, 75 per cent. of the orders for telephone service are completed within one week, and 82 per cent. within two weeks. Serious difficulty has been experienced in the exchange areas named by the hon. Member as a result of an abnormal increase in the number of would-be subscribers in these localities, which has occasioned a certain shortage of plant. Additional plant is already on order and everything possible is being done to expedite its provision.
§ Sir J. MellorIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that in one instance a resident of Shirley applied for the telephone service on 24th October of last year, that his name is in the telephone directory, but that he has not yet received a telephone?
§ Major TryonI think it is hardly possible to judge the administration of the Department by an individual case of which no notice was given to me in the question.
Mr. AndersonIs this shortage due to the manufacturing side, and if so, why not set up some works in the Special Areas to help forward the manufacturing side?