§ 10. Mr. Marloweasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a scheme to provide extended telephone facilities at Mile Oak, Portslade, Sussex, which was expected to be completed about last Christmas, has now been postponed; why this has been done; and when it is proposed to resume work on this scheme.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIt has been necessary to withdraw the labour from this residential district for more important work elsewhere in the Brighton telephone area. The work at Mile Oak should be resumed within the next six months.
§ Mr. MarloweBut is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this scheme has advanced as far as intending subscribers signing contracts? Are these contracts, when entered into by a Government Department, binding on only one side? Are these people to understand that their failure to have a telephone now is entirely due to the bungling of the nation's finances by the Socialists?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThis is a question of making general arrangements for a much larger development of the telephone service in that area. If we had proceeded on the old plan it would have resulted in less speed in dealing with the problem in the Brighton area.