§ 21. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the amount of damage to telephone installations and equipment caused by the very severe weather.
§ Mr. BevinsAlthough the hard winter has caused extensive damage to telephone plant in many parts of the country, and blocked roads have often delayed and hampered repair work, the damage has been much less than might have been feared.
I should like to reiterate my appreciation to the staff who have striven so hard to keep the service going in difficult circumstances.
§ Mr. WainwrightMay I also give to the employees, both men and women, in these services the greatest credit for the way in which they carried out their duties during the recent arctic weather? Will the Postmaster-General make certain that the capital projects of his Department are not hindered or prevented even if the costs are greater than he expects?
§ Mr. BevinsI am grateful for what the hon. Member said at the start of his supplementary question. In reply to his question, the answer is "Yes".