§ 23. Mr. Kershawasked the Postmaster-General how many newly-designed desk-type telephones have been delivered in the Gloucester telephone area; and in how many colours.
§ Mr. BevinsAn initial delivery of eighty has been made to the Gloucester Telephone Area. These are in four 503 colours: light ivory, topaz yellow, two-tone grey and two-tone green. Further supplies, in the full range of six colours, are now being received from the manufacturers and are being issued.
§ Mr. NabarroHear, hear.
§ Mr. KershawWhile appreciating the progress now being made, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he realises that these instruments were announced a year ago and that six months ago subscribers in the Gloucester area were being asked to subscribe for them? Is not progress extremely slow? Will my right hon. Friend speed it up in the near future?
§ Mr. BevinsManufacture of these instruments has certainly not been as rapid as we had hoped. I should like to make it clear that production is now in full swing in a very large way and we shall have deliveries throughout the country on a substantial basis very soon.
§ Mr. NabarroThey are very good telephones anyway.