1. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Postmaster-General what is the number of outstanding applications for telephones at the latest convenient date; and what is the estimated number of new subscribers to be provided with private lines during 1951.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Ness Edwards)The waiting list numbered 540,143 on 31st December, 1950. During 1951 we expect to connect about 390,000 subscribers, including new applicants for whom local plant is available.
Air Commodore HarveyDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the figure has risen from 200,000 at the end of the war, and does he not think it would be a good thing if the Post Office put first things first, cut out some of the frills and concentrated on a telephone service which will help the productive efficiency of the country?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe hon. and gallant Member may know that 92 per cent. of the Post Office expenditure is now concerned with telephones.
§ Mr. Gerald WilliamsDoes "private lines" here mean party lines?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo, Sir.