HC Deb 08 July 1959 vol 608 cc1345-7
29. Mr. Swingler

asked the Postmaster-General what was the capital expenditure on the telephone service in Newcastle-under-Lyme in the financial years 1957–58 and 1958–59; and what rate of capital expenditure is planned for 1959–60.

Mr. K. Thompson

I regret that I cannot give these figures because detailed accounts of capital expenditure are not compiled for individual towns.

Mr. Swingler

Can the hon. Gentleman give the figure for North Staffordshire as a whole? Is he not aware, from letters I have sent him, that there is serious complaint in Newcastle-under-Lyme about Post Office capital expenditure, especially in regard to sub-post offices and the provision of telephone kiosks? Will he, therefore, look at the situation again, because we believe that the Post Office should greatly increase its effort here?

Mr. Thompson

I will certainly look at it in the light of the considerations the hon. Gentleman mentions. We cannot give figures for areas since so much of our capital expenditure is based on national tasks of one kind and another, such as the provision of trunk lines and trunk switching apparatus.

31. Mr. Swingler

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are waiting for telephone service in the borough and rural district of Newcastle-under-Lyme; and what is the longest waiting period.

Mr. K. Thompson

Apart from applications under inquiry or in course of being met, there are only two applicants on the waiting list in the borough and one in the rural district. The earliest of these is dated October, 1958, and this will be satisfied when the residence for which it is required is ready for occupation.

Mr. Swingler

Does not that Answer show that the Post Office in this area, as I suspected, is not seriously pressed in the provision of telephone facilities for potential subscribers? Is it not quite clear, therefore, that the Post Office could get much more of a move on in North Staffordshire in capital development so that we should not have to wait for a trunk dialling station for five years as compared with facilities being provided in other areas with half a million people?

Mr. Thompson

I had hoped that my reply would show that the Post Office was dealing quite fairly with this matter.

Mrs. Slater

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there is very strong feeling in North Staffordshire among the workers in his Department that, if more were done and there were more capital expenditure, many more people than have already applied for them could be persuaded to have telephones? Is not that, therefore, where the move could be made?

Mr. Thompson

I am quite aware of that. It may be true of this area and other areas also. We have to plan our expenditure over the whole nation.