HC Deb 12 May 1954 vol 527 cc1208-9
6. Mr. R. Robinson

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many telephone subscribers in the Blackpool, North Shore, South Shore and Marton telephone exchanges use shared lines.

Mr. Gammans

The figures are 394, 596, 383 and 288.

Robinson

Can my hon. Friend say whether efforts are being made to give private lines to those subscribers who want them?

Mr. Gammans

Our desire is to give private lines to any private subscriber who desires one. I am glad to say that the number of people who are waiting has decreased considerably in the past year.

7. Mr. R. Robinson

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the reasons for the delay in providing telephones in the Blackpool, North Shore, South Shore and Marton telephone exchanges.

Mr. Gammans

Nearly 1,500 telephones were connected in the past 12 months and the waiting list was reduced by over 1,200. I hope it will be possible to maintain this high rate of provision during the current year, but progress in clearing the waiting list depends upon the level of new demand and on the provision of additional cables and equipment, which are planned.

8. Mr. R. Robinson

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many existing subscribers and how many outstanding applications there were for telephones on the Blackpool, North Shore, South Shore and Marton telephone exchanges, respectively, on 1st April, 1946, 1st April, 1950, and each subsequent 1st April.

Mr. Gammans

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

— Blackpool North Shore South Shore Marton
Number of subscribers at 1st April
1946… 3,806 1,232 1,730 629
1950… 5,363 1,538 2,070 793
1951… 5,484 1,633 2,175 896
1952… 5,570 1,814 2,232 966
1953… 5,553 1,884 2,228 984
1954… 6,119 1,911 2,611 1,015
Outstanding applications at 1st April
1946… 268 142 140 50
1950… 1,032 579 991 248
1951… 1,290 636 1,075 269
1952… 1,442 444 993 223
1953… 1,663 415 1,114 227
1954… 986 391 623 175