§ 27. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for new telephones are now outstanding in Scotland; and what the corresponding figure was last year.
§ Mr. GammansThirty-five thousand nine hundred and sixty-four applications were outstanding at the 30th September, 1953, as compared with 40,541 12 months ago.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayMay we take it from those figures that the number of applications outstanding is being steadily reduced?
§ Mr. GammansYes, Sir. I think the number will be reduced even more. The number would have gone down more quickly if it had not been for the repair of storm damage in Scotland at the beginning of this year.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayMay we look forward to a faster rate of reduction in the next 12 months?
§ Mr. GammansI hope so, so long as there are no more storms.
§ 30. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are now outstanding in North Berwick; and how this figure compares with the number 12 months ago.
§ Mr. GammansThere were 64 applications outstanding on 31st October, 1953, but 38 of these will be connected during the next three months. The number outstanding 12 months ago was 53.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayCan my hon. Friend also deal with the problem of shared lines, of which there are rather too many in North Berwick?
§ Mr. GammansI answered a Question about that subject earlier this afternoon.
§ 31. Mr. W. G. Bennettasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many telephone lines would be required to supply the waiting list in Glasgow at the end of October; and when he expects to be able to give the service required.
§ Mr. GammansThe number at 30th September, 1953, which is the latest available, was 11,465, this being 1,221 less than a year ago. We are fitting telephones as fast as our resources allow, but I regret that I cannot say when it will be possible to give service to all applicants.
§ Mr. BennettCan my hon. Friend say whether it is material or labour, or both, which is holding up provision of the additional lines?
§ Mr. GammansChiefly exchange equipment.
Mr. LeeIs not it wrong that at the same time skilled engineers who make these parts should be dismissed from London factories?
§ 32. Mr. W. G. Bennettasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applicants are awaiting telephone installations in the Western and Kelvin exchange areas of Glasgow; and when he expects to satisfy their requirements.
§ Mr. GammansThe number is 930, this being 134 less than a year ago. I regret that I cannot say when all the outstanding applications will be met.
§ Mr. BennettIs the Minister aware of the growing irritation and dissatisfaction with his Department in the Glasgow area?
§ Mr. GammansI am sorry to hear that. We are reducing the waiting list considerably, and I hope that we shall be able to increase the rate of decrease in the coming year.
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsHaving regard to the number of similar Questions on the Order Paper today, and to the experience of every Member of Parliament on both sides of the House on this question of long waiting lists and slow development, is not it time that the hon. Gentleman's noble Friend took up the matter seriously with the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to a readjustment of the allocation for this purpose?
§ Mr. GammansI must remind the House that we have reduced the waiting list in the past year by 60,000.
Mr. LeeIs not it true to say that while the Government are causing people to be dismissed from employment they cannot be said to be meeting adequately the demand which hon. Members are expressing?
§ Mr. GammansThe hon. Gentleman has raised a question that is not on the Order Paper. I assure him that the Post Office is causing nobody to be dismissed. No Post Office orders have been cancelled in North London or anywhere else.