HC Deb 25 April 1968 vol 763 c467
16. Mr. Robert Cooke

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to stimulate demand for telephones in those areas of the country where there is no waiting list.

Mr. Mason

Some experimental local schemes have been carried out during the past year. I intend to extend our efforts.

Mr. Cooke

Surely the right hon. Gentleman can give us a little more detail than that? Has he written to people who have no telephones suggesting that they may like to have one?

Mr. Mason

Local schemes, including a direct mail approach, local exhibitions and displays and special inquiry facilities at post offices were tried out in 28 areas.

Mr. James Hamilton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in many parts of the country people are waiting for telephones but cannot get them because of a shortage of equipment? Does he agree that some of the factories in my constituency could be used to produce this equipment, which would be advantageous to the people who want telephones, and also would assist the problem of unemployment in my constituency?

Mr. Mason

I am aware of the demands of the development areas, and particularly of Scotland. Exchange equipment is in great demand, and we are not getting this quickly enough. One reason is that it takes five years from design to completion of a telephone exchange. Another reason why we do not have the necessary equipment is that hon. Gentlemen opposite never attempted to invest properly in the future of telecommunications.