§ 35. Mr. Haleasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are now outstanding in the Oldham area; and what effect the recently announced limitation on public works will have on the provision of these telephones.
§ Mr. GammansOne thousand, six hundred and five. It is too early to judge how this limitation will affect telephone development.
§ Mr. HaleIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Post Office announced about last June that the Oldham arrears would be cleared up in 12 months. Is he now going to tell Oldham that under this Government this promise is not to be kept and that the work is to be slowed down?
§ Mr. GammansThe hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do what is the limiting factor. It is resources—materials and labour—and the defence programme.