§ 34. Mr. John Lewisasked the Postmaster-General how many telephones have been installed, respectively, in the Bolton and Farnworth districts during the last three months; and how many installations it is estimated will be made during the next three months.
§ Mr. HobsonDuring the past three months, 289 new telephones have been provided in the area served by the Bolton exchange, and 26 in the Farnworth area. It is expected that the figures for the next three months will be 200 and 26, respectively.
§ Mr. J. LewisIs it possible to ensure that organisations responsible for the public services, like hotels and some business organisations, will have priority?
§ Mr. HobsonThat is the usual policy of the Department; they are among the people who have priority.
§ 37. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Postmaster-General what number of new telephones have been installed throughout the country during the year ended 31st July, 1947.
§ Mr. HobsonThe number of new telephones installed during the year ended 31st July, 1947, was 685,243.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeCan my hon. Friend tell me how that figure compares with the number of telephones installed during the years 1937 and 1938?
§ Mr. HobsonNot without notice, but I can give my hon. Friend the number of telephones installed in the peak year of installation before the war. In 1936–37 it was 400,581.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeDoes not that answer provide further evidence of the great achievements of His Majesty's present Government?
§ Mr. HobsonIt might be the case that sometimes we hide our light under a bushel.
§ 39. Mr. Gammansasked the Postmaster-General what was the number of applicants for telephones on the Mount-view and Tudor exchanges on 1st November; and what were the corresponding figures for 1st January, 1947.
§ Mr. HobsonOn 1st November the applicants waiting for service on the Mountview and Tudor exchanges numbered 1,307 and 1,028 respectively. The corresponding figures for the 1st January were 1,234 and 947.
§ Mr. GammansWhen does the hon. Gentleman think that people who put down their names for telephones on these two exchanges will be likely to get them?
§ Mr. HobsonThe answer is that the same applies at all other telephone exchanges; when we have the cable and materials available.
§ Captain John CrowderMeanwhile, will the Minister do something about the lack of staff on the Tudor exchange, because it is really quicker to send a post card than to telephone in that district?
§ Mr. HobsonThat is another question entirely, and if the hon. and gallant Member cares to put it down, we will look into the matter.
§ 43. Mr. Bossomasked the Postmaster-General why, when a tenant gives up occupation of a house, the telephone service is discontinued and the new tenant has to waft his or her turn for afresh installation.
§ Mr. HobsonAn incoming tenant is normally allowed to take over the existing 1979 telephone. Only where there are waiting applicants with stronger claims is the line diverted for the use of the senior applicant.
§ Mr. BossomIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is regularly taking place in Kent, and is it not an utter waste of labour to take out a telephone and then later to have to put it back again? It is wrong and ridiculous.
§ Mr. HobsonOur usual practice is to allow an incoming tenant who requires it to have a telephone which is there—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—but in cases where there are priority applications and people who have been waiting for many years it is manifestly unfair to make that an invariable practice.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersWho is the judge of priority?
Mr. Johnson-HicksWill the hon. Gentleman say what he considers "abnormal," and whether there are any normal cases at the present time?
§ Mr. HobsonThere are. As a matter of fact, we have transferred 106,000 telephones to incoming tenants during the past 12 months, but where there is a shortage of spare wires in the cables, it would, as I said, be unfair not to give consideration to those who have been waiting for many years.