HC Deb 02 December 1959 vol 614 cc1180-1
33. Mr. Denzil Freeth

asked the Post master-General by what date he can guarantee providing a telephone service for Mr. H. C. Cooksey, 114, Elmwood Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Mr. Bevins

Unfortunately, a new cable is required before service can be provided. My best estimate is that Mr. Cooksey will have telephone service by the end of June next, but if we can make it sooner we shall.

Mr. Freeth

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, although Mr. Cooksey's is a residential property, it is used for business purposes and he is suffering severely financially from the absence of a telephone? When he moved in in July he was informed that the telephone would be laid on within three months. It then was a further six months, and now it is a year from the date when he first applied. Would it not be possible to fix up a temporary connection from the telephone line going to Winklebury Post Office?

Mr. Bevins

I assure my hon. Friend that I have examined this complaint in very considerable detail. The existing underground cable is about 150 yards from Mr. Cooksey's home and it would not be either economical or practical to connect his home with that cable. I have also examined the possibility of putting in an overhead cable, but the interference from an overhead electric cable would be so great that the telephone would be almost valueless.

Sir C. Taylor

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. I seek your guidance on whether in your opinion this is the sort of Question which should be on the Order Paper. If we all tabled Questions about constituents who cannot get a telephone service, the Order Paper would be completely flooded out.

Mr. Freeth

Further to that point of order. Is it not the right of an hon. Member to raise a constituency point when he has reason to believe that a constituent has not been treated properly by a Department?

Mr. Speaker

My sole task is to decide whether or no the Question is in order. It is in order.