§ 19. Mr. John Hallasked the Postmaster-General the present waiting list percentage in the Oxford telephone area; and if it is still the highest percentage in the country.
§ Mr. BevinsThe present figure of 5 per cent. is still the highest in the country. I am doing all I can to meet the very high demand for telephones in the Oxford area. The percentage increase in the number of telephones installed in 1959–60 was higher in the Oxford area than in any other part of the country.
§ Mr. HallIs my right hon. Friend aware that the situation appears to be getting worse, because twelve months ago the figure was 3.5 per cent.? What is the national average?
§ Mr. BevinsThe national average is a good deal lower than in the case of Oxford, but the present waiting list in the Oxford area is about 2,600 and I hope to install about 6,000 telephones in the district in the next year.