29. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are waiting for telephones, both business and private, in Macclesfield and Congleton; and how many telephones have been installed in these districts during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNinety-nine business and 149 residential applicants are waiting for service in Macclesfield. The corresponding figures for Congleton are 46 and 41; 146 and 58 exchange lines were provided during the last 12 months in Macclesfield and Congleton, respectively.
Air-Commodore HarveyDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that applicants for new telephones are continually told that there is not a line available? Will he try to give them further information as to when they can expect a line, and, further, try to improve these conditions in the North-West of England?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI can assure the hon. and gallant Member that this is a matter which causes considerable worry, and I am giving very close attention to it.
§ Mr. FernyhoughCould my right hon. Friend inform the House how the figures for the last 12 months compare with the number of installations in 1938?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI have already done that.
§ Mr. Oliver StanleyAnd comparable figures for 1892?