§ 32. Wing Commander Bullusasked the Postmaster-General how many new subscribers have been given the telephone service from October, 1951, until the latest available date.
Dr. HillOne million three hundred thousand subscribers' lines have been connected since October, 1951.
§ Wing Commander BullusI thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Can he state the comparative figure for the previous three years?
§ Mr. BingCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of those new lines have been provided by taking away from subscribers the exclusive use of lines and making them share those lines with other subscribers, and how many have been provided as a result of fitting new cables?
Dr. HillI cannot give a precise answer to that question without notice, but it is true that approximately 450,000 subscribers have been enabled to become subscribers because of line-sharing.
§ Mr. HaleCan the Minister say why it is now suggested that people are being given a telephone service? Is it not a fact that all these people except Government Departments have been grossly overcharged for it, and are being grossly overcharged for it, because of the increases instituted by the Government?