HC Deb 11 December 1957 vol 579 c1261
53. Mr. Storey

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephones installed at the Urmston, West, Exchange between 1st May and 1st October, 1957, and the number of outstanding applications on the latter date.

Mr. K. Thompson

I can only give figures for the Urmston Exchange as a whole. One hundred and eighty-nine telephones were installed between 1st May and 1st October, 1957. On the latter date 644 applications were outstanding of which 98 were in course of provision. Three new cabling schemes are in hand to enable us to provide service to the waiting applicants. They will be brought into use progressively between mid-1958 and early 1959.

Mr. Storey

Is my hon. Friend aware that his Department promised that they would clear the 350 applications at Urmston, West before the end of August? Can he explain why the figures are so far short of that total for the whole of Urmston?

Mr. Thompson

I have no knowledge of that promise at the moment, but if my hon. Friend will let me have the papers I will certainly look into the matter.

54. Mr. Storey

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephones installed at the Longford Exchange between 1st May and 1st September, 1957, and the number of outstanding applications on the latter date.

Mr. K. Thompson

Fifty telephones were installed between 1st- May and 1st September. The number of outstanding applications at 1st September is not available, but at 1st October the figure was 179 of which 37 were in course of provision. New cables are being laid and this work will be completed by next March enabling us to give service to nearly all others now waiting.

Mr. Storey

Is my hon. Friend aware that in June his Department told me that it would install 180 telephones in that area before the end of September? Will he explain why it has failed to do that?

Mr. Thompson

Indeed, I will. If my hon. Friend will let me have the particulars, I will go into the matter personally.