§ 36. Mr. Hannanasked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephone service are on the waiting list, at a recent convenient date, for the Possilpark and Maryhill Exchanges of Glasgow; and how many of these have been on the list for a period of three years and over.
§ Mr. GammansOne hundred and forty-two applications are outstanding at Possil and 363 at Maryhill. Three applicants at Possil have been waiting over three years and 14 at Maryhill. In these two areas over 250 lines have been connected in the past 12 months.
§ Mr. HannanWhat capital expenditure has been allocated for these areas? Will the hon. Gentleman pursue his inquiries, because I am not satisfied about the attention given to these areas according to the complaints which I get? As evidence of that, will he consider a letter which I sent him yesterday about an application made about three years nine months ago?
§ Mr. GammansI am afraid that the subject of capital expenditure is outside the Question on the Order Paper, but if the hon. Gentleman is prepared to address another Question to me, I will certainly provide him with the information.
§ Mr. John MacLeodWill my hon. Friend say whether the delay in this case is due to shortage of money or shortage of labour?
§ Mr. GammansI gather that the area is a widely scattered residential one, and, therefore, it is more expensive to instal telephones there than in a congested area. Another complication, which will probably please the hon. Gentleman who represents the area, is that the number of applications there has almost doubled during the last two years.
§ Mr. HannanWill the hon. Gentleman pay attention to my request to him to pursue his inquiries, because recent answers show a great need for that? This is not a residential area but a very thickly populated industrial part of Clasgow.
§ Mr. GammansIf the hon. Gentleman is worried about the amount of money allocated, I said that if he will put a Question on the Order Paper I will certainly give him the answer.