§ 18. Mr. Goronwy Robertsasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the long list of people in Llanberis, Caernarvonshire, who require a telephone; and what are the plans of his Department for extending the exchange facilities in this district.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsAdditional cables, as well as a new exchange, are needed before service can be given to the waiting applicants. In view of defence and other urgent claims on our limited resources, regret that it is not possible at present to say when this work is likely to be completed.
§ Mr. RobertsIs it not a fact that the exchange facilities in this town are exceptionally inadequate, particularly in view of the fact that Llanberis is the centre of the new Snowdonian National Park and is doing increasing business particularly regarding tourism?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsWhile it is a fact that we have the exchange building put up, our difficulty is to get equipment to put into the exchange itself. It is a matter of supply.
§ Mr. Emrys RobertsIs the Postmaster-General aware that in this and in other rural areas in North Wales the exchanges are inadequate, and will he give special attention to the need for telephone facilities in the rural areas?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsA new allocation of capital has been made for development in Wales, and when that materialises I think hon. Members will be satisfied that Wales is getting its fair share.
§ Mr. McCorquodaleDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that when his Department puts up a building he knows that he has nothing to put into it?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo, Sir. Buildings are planned a very considerable time ahead. Once we know the buildings are going up we give an order for the equipment, but if the manufacturers cannot deliver the equipment it is not the fault of the Post Office.