HC Deb 05 July 1950 vol 477 c449
10. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now make a statement of Government policy concerning the expansion of the telephone service by the British Post Office, with special regard to the increased supplies of equipment now available.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The telephone service is being expanded at the maximum possible rate within the limits of the capital resources available to the Post Office. Supply difficulties, which have hampered this expansion, have except in a few minor items now been overcome.

Mr. De la Bère

Can the Postmaster-General give us, in round figures, the approximate number of would-be subscribers who are now awaiting the installation of telephones throughout the country?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Roughly, half a million.

Mr. De la Bère

Surely the Government intend to do something about that? I am not satisfied.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The Government have chosen to concentrate on housing rather than on the building of post offices.

Mr. John MacLeod

Does that reply mean that simply through lack of capital we are not extending the telephone services throughout the country?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Yes, Sir, but it must be remembered that we are putting in telephones at twice the pre-war rate.