§ 24. Mr. David Rentonasked the Postmaster-General how many public kiosks are due to be allocated this year to the county of Huntingdon, which contains many small and remote villages which have no kiosks; and what steps he is taking to increase the supply of kiosks for small villages.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe arrangement agreed upon last year with the Rural District Councils' Association was specially designed to help the provision of kiosks in small and remote villages, by eliminating the monetary contribution previously required from the local authority in such cases. For the year ending 31st August, 1950, five kiosks have been allotted to the county of Huntingdon, and these will be installed in places recommended by the county branch of the Rural District 1940 Councils' Association. Allocations for the following year are about to be considered, and while I recognise the desirability of increasing the supply of these rural kiosks, there are, unfortunately, limits to Government expenditure.
§ Mr. RentonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are no fewer than at least 15 remote villages in the county which have no kind of public telephone; will he bear in mind that there is great disappointment about the slow progress which is made in providing them; and will he say what is the limiting factor to which he refers?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI think that we have made very substantial progress in this matter. The present position, in some cases, is the same as it has been for generations, and is due entirely to the neglect of former Governments. With regard to two of the villages with which the hon. Gentleman is concerned, I think he will find that they will probably figure in the next programme.
§ Mr. Oliver StanleyWill the right hon. Gentleman accept sincere apologies from the Conservative Party for the fact that during the 19th century we did not erect any telephone kiosks before the telephone had been invented?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIf the Tory Party starts apologising it will have a full-time job.