§ 34. Mr. Bingasked the Postmaster-General the number of subscribers connected, respectively, to the Romford, 1680 Hornchurch, Upminster, Ingrebourne and Rainham Exchanges; and the number of applicants awaiting connection to each of these exchanges, respectively.
Dr. HillAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
| Exchange | Subscribers connected at 31st March, 1955 | Applicants waiting at 31st March, 1955 | |
| Romford | … | 8,889 | 1,255 |
| Hornchurch | … | 6,382 | 385 |
| Upminster | … | 3,846 | 280 |
| Ingrebourne | … | 1,904 | 911 |
| Rainham | … | 3,732 | 562 |
§ The figures of applicants waiting exclude those whose applications are in course of being met or under investigation.
§ 35. Mr. Bingasked the Postmaster-General the number of applicants in the area of the Hornchurch Exchange district which have been waiting less than one, one or more, two or more and three or more years, respectively, for the installation of a telephone.
§ Mr. BingOn a point of order. I should like to point out that the word "Exchange" in the Question is a misprint for "urban."
Dr. HillI am grateful to the hon. and learned Gentleman for warning me of that misprint. I should like, first, to give the answer to the Question which is on the Order Paper. Less than one year, 191; between one and two years, 78; between two and three years, 37, and over three years, 79.
Perhaps I may now add the figures for the Hornchurch urban district, which is mainly served by the Rainham, Hornchurch and Upminster exchanges. In that district there are 1,227 still waiting. Seven hundred and twenty-six of these have been waiting for less than one year; 250 between one and two years; 126 between two and three years, and 125 over three years.
§ Mr. BingCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the chance of accommodating the 125 who have been waiting for the whole period of this Government's term of office?
Dr. HillI can reassure the hon. and learned Gentleman to this extent: whereas in recent years the demand has exceeded the supply, it is estimated that in the current year the supply will be substantially in excess of the demand.
§ 36. Mr. Bingasked the Postmaster-General the number of business and private subscriber lines, respectively, connected to the Rainham Exchange, and the number of applications for business and private lines, respectively, at present outstanding.
Dr. HillThe number of business subscribers' lines is 1,285, and of private subscribers' lines 1,447. Forty-five business and 517 private applications are at present outstanding, apart from those in course of provision or under inquiry.
§ Mr. BingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many small business firms in the Rainham area which have been unable to obtain telephones for a considerable period—one of which cases I called to his attention? In these circumstances, does he not think that he could appeal to one or two of the very large firms who are connected to that exchange—for instance, Ford's works—to give up one or two of their lines in favour of small businessmen?
Dr. HillI do appreciate the problem of small businessmen waiting for telephones, and I shall look into the suggestion the hon. and learned Gentleman has made.