§ 44. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Postmaster-General how many telephone subscribers there are in the City of Aberdeen; how many, since the recent increase in charges, have ceased to be subscribers; and how many are now on the waiting list.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Ernest Marples)There are just over 18,500 subscribers' lines on the four exchanges serving the City. In the past six months approximately 800 lines were given up, and about the same number of new lines were connected. The number of outstanding applications is 265, of which 200 are under inquiry or in course of being met.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the service would have a better chance of being an economic unit and a more used public service if he reduced the charges in order to encourage more subscribers and took steps to extend the facilities further in Aberdeen? Will he consider that?
§ Mr. MarplesWe already have people waiting for service whom we cannot provide with telephones. In Aberdeen only 65 applications are being held up and there are 18,500 subscribers connected. I think that is not too bad.