§ 31. Mr. W. R. Williamsasked the Assistant Postmaster-General when a cable was last laid to connect the Guide Lane district of Audenshaw with its appropriate local exchange.
§ Mr. GammansA cable scheme to serve part of the district was completed in 1951.
§ Mr. WilliamsWhen does the hon. Gentleman suggest that an additional cable should be laid in this area?
§ Mr. GammansI should like to complete the cable scheme there as soon as our capital resources permit.
§ Mr. WilliamsI understand that, but I want something more definite. It is not a question of when the hon. Gentleman would like to do it. When is it going to be done?
§ Mr. GammansThe Question asked about what has happened. If the hon. Members wants to know what is going to happen, I suggest that he puts down another Question.
§ 32. Mr. W. R. Williamsasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applicants for telephones in Denton and Audenshaw are still waiting for them; how many of these reside in the Guide Lane-Guide Bridge area; and what prospects they have of getting telephones soon.
§ Mr. GammansTwo hundred and ninety-seven. Of these, 36 are in the Guide Lane-Guide Bridge area, part of which is served from Ashton. I regret that, in view of our limited resources, it will be some considerable time before we can materially reduce the waiting list in this area.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the Minister aware that that will give no satisfaction whatever to the business people and others in the area who have been waiting a long time for telephone installation? What is the hon. Gentleman going to do about it?
§ Mr. GammansNothing would give me greater pleasure than if we could catch up with all these arrears, in which event I should not have to answer half the Questions that I now answer.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the Minister dealing with this area as equitably as with some of the large industrial areas?
§ Mr. GammansI can give the hon. Member that assurance. It is certainly not being unfairly treated.
§ 33. Mr. W. R. Williamsasked the Assistant Postmaster-General when it is proposed to provide additional cables which will enable waiting applicants in Denton and Audenshaw to be provided with telephones.
§ Mr. GammansNew cables will be provided in part of Audenshaw at the end of this year. Other cables are planned but I regret that they are not expected to be laid before the middle of 1955.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the first part of his answer will give some satisfaction but that I am extremely disappointed with the second part of his answer?