§ 2. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Postmaster-General what steps are being taken to reduce the waiting list for business and private telephones in the Ongar parishes of the Epping and Ongar rural district, having regard to its increase from 46 to 134 during 1959.
§ Mr. BevinsThere are fifteen exchanges in this district but the increase in the waiting list last year was mainly due to shortage of capacity at the Ongar exchange. The new automatic exchange is now well advanced and I expect it to be ready by September. As I said to my hon. Friend on 27th January, we are also providing additional exchange equipment and cables in other parts of the district.