§ 27. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Postmaster-General how many public telephone kiosks have been provided for and will be erected in the current financial year, and of that number how many are in rural areas; and if he will give the number to be provided in the next financial year.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsAbout 3,000 were provided, of which 1,000 were in rural areas. The programme for the next financial year is not settled, but it is hoped to provide not less than in the present year.
§ Sir D. RobertsonDoes that answer not prove that the policy the Postmaster-General announced last year is not being carried out in the rural areas? The towns are being favoured because they are easier to deal with than the country districts, which are being neglected.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo, Sir. I announced the policy of extending the rural telephone kiosk programme; we have extended it and are maintaining that extension. Compared with pre-war the position is now much better.