§ 31. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Postmaster-General if he will state the total number on the waiting list for telephones in South Yorkshire in 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962, respectively.
§ Mr. MawbyAt 31st March, 1958, the figure was 2,375. The corresponding figures in the subsequent years have been 1,482; 1,574; 1,690; and 1,039.
§ Mr. WainwrightI admit that there has been an improvement in the last year. Can the hon. Gentleman explain why the numbers rose in the previous three years? What hope have people in South Yorkshire who are sharing lines? What hope is there of speeding up connections for trunk calls between South Yorkshire and London, which now take a long time?
§ Mr. MawbyEvery day of the week we are installing new circuits all over the country. We obviously concentrate on areas where the need is greatest. At 31st March this year, the figures for which the hon. Member has asked were down to 977, so we are not making bad progress.