§ 8. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is satisfied with the number of telephone kiosks in Fenton, Longton, Meir, Blurton, and Newstead; and if he will see that the expanding housing estates in the area are provided with kiosks, telephone, and other Post Office services as soon as possible.
§ Sir. E. BoyleThere are seven kiosks in these places, all of them near the housing estates. Other kiosks are being provided. Telephone and other Post Office services will be expanded as quickly as possible to meet the needs of the residents.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithWhile not expecting a reply today, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to request the authorities to treat this matter as one of urgency, seeing that this is an expanding mining area and it wants a telephone service so as to be able to get into touch with the medical authorities and other such services?
§ Sir. E. BoyleMy hon. Friend entirely appreciates the difficulties to which the hon. Gentleman refers. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for having taught me a lot about the geography of the Five Towns area.
§ 24. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Assistant Postmaster-General what steps are being taken to increase the number of telephones and kiosks in Trent Vale, Trentham and other expanding areas in the city of Stoke-on-Trent.
§ Sir. E. BoyleNo less than 1,500 telephones were fitted during 1954 in the area served by the Stoke-on-Trent automatic system, and it is hoped to improve on this figure in the current year. Additional kiosks are also being provided. New cables are being laid, or are planned, in most parts of the city and extra equipment is being provided where necessary in the exchanges.