HC Deb 07 July 1964 vol 698 cc188-9
5. Mr. John Hall

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are outstanding in the Wycombe constituency.

Mr. Mawby

Leaving out of account the orders under inquiry or being met, there were 612 applicants waiting for telephones on 31st May last in the exchange areas serving the Wycombe constituency.

Mr. Hall

Is my hon. Friend aware that I find this information a little depressing? We appear to be going backwards in my constituency. Is my hon. Friend aware that the number of applicants is greater now than it was in 1961? Would it not be far better to use the money which is now spent on advertising and persuading people to use the telephone, on providing the necessary equipment?

Mr. Mawby

That may be my hon. Friend's view, but, in fact, telephones in Wycombe are being supplied at a record rate—over 2,600 since 1962—and the demand for telephones in this area is rising at the rate of 34 per cent. per year. If my hon. Friend will consider these figures, he will appreciate that we have been doing very well indeed in connecting all these extra telephones while keeping the waiting list down as low as possible. On the question of advertising, we find that it is valuable to us because there are many parts of the country where we can supply a telephone on demand.

Mr. Hall

May I ask my hon. Friend to realise that I appreciate only too well the efforts which the Postmaster-General has been making in my constituency, but does not he realise that the forecast of development and expansion in the Wycombe area has been wrong consistently and that there is likely to be a far greater increase now of people requiring telephones in the area? Will he look at the capital programme again in the Wycombe constituency? If he does, I think that he will find that far greater expenditure is needed even than there is now on the planning board.

Mr. Mawby

Yes, Sir. The moneys allocated to the area were increased by 18 per cent. for 1963–64 and there is a further increase of 17 per cent. for 1964–65. This is about as much as can be absorbed efficiently in an area where there is great competition for labour.