§ 3. Colonel Ropnerasked the Postmaster-General how many telephones have been installed at farms in the West Riding during the past six months; and how many of these are being shared by more than one farmer.
§ Mr. HobsonIn the six months preceding 1st May, 1949, 168 farmers in the West Riding were supplied with telephones. Thirty of them were connected by means of shared service.
§ Colonel RopnerIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the number still in need of telephones, and can he give any assurance that telephones will be installed at a greater rate in these rural areas?
§ Mr. HobsonI cannot give that assurance. This is entirely a question of the supply and availability of labour and of telephone equipment in the exchanges.