§ 25. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Postmaster-General how many applicants for telephones linked to the Dartford Exchange have yet to be provided with a service; and how long he anticipates it will be before this list can be cleared.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Ernest Marples)Four hundred and eighty-two.
New cables are being provided and the exchange equipment is being extended to use the full capacity of the building. Most of the present applicants will be given service this year. But there is a steady new demand, so I cannot say when the waiting list will finally be cleared. The building needs to be extended, and this is planned to start next June.