Oldham

HC Deb 21 January 1953 vol 510 cc185-6

16. Mr. Hale

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones were outstanding in Oldham on 31st December, 1951, and 31st December, 1952, respectively.

Mr. Gammans

One thousand five hundred and twenty-three on 31st December, 1951, and 1,241 on the 31st December, 1952. Five hundred and three new applications were received during the 12 months.

Mr. Hale

In view of this most unsatisfactory figure and having regard to the fact that the hon. Gentleman's predecessors had arranged to clear up all arrears some months ago and had given definite instructions and made plans for that purpose, and in view of these new consequences of some of the economies which the hon. Gentleman has himself announced, would he tell the House now why he keeps saying that one difficulty is a shortage of trained labour when there is widespread unemployment in Lancashire and many people in Oldham who would be very glad to be trained for this job?

Mr. Gammans

I do not think that we have done so badly as it is. We have reduced considerably the waiting list in the hon. Gentleman's constituency in the past year. This is a specialised form of labour; but that is not the only reason why we are unable to get on with the programme. The main reason is the curtailment of the capital expenditure programme for defence and other reasons.

Mr. Hale

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I have one instance of a man who has been on the waiting list for five and a half years to whom he wrote on 19th December saying: You may be confident that your recorded application of 1st September, 1947, will not be overlooked, and when conditions permit the installation of your telephone you will be duly advised. Is not this an astonishing and appalling state of affairs in view of the fact that the waiting list in Oldham was being progressively reduced from 1945 until the present Government came into power?

Mr. Gammans

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not get too excited about this. He knows perfectly well that the reasons which prevented my predecessors from getting on with the capital development programme as they would have wished still obtain today.