24. Viscount Hinehingbrookeasked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement on his post-war plans for an improved telephone service; and whether such plans include automatisation of the trunk services and the provision of radiotelephone links to air, railway and coastal shipping services.
§ The Postmaster-General (Captain Crookshank)The post-war reconstruction plans of the Post Office comprise all the items mentioned in the Question. Generally, it is hoped to secure a substantially increased development of the telephone services in this country after the war, but during the initial post-war years the rate of development will necessarily be governed by the availability of building accommodation for new exchanges, and, to some extent, by priorities in regard to the supply of labour and materials.