§ 4. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Postmaster General how many applicants are waiting for telephone installations in Luton, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, and the Luton rural district; and what steps are being taken to reduce the waiting lists.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterThe figures at 31st December, 1967, were:
Luton, 2,805; Dunstable, 26; Leighton Buzzard, 82; and Luton Rural District, 89. Extensions to all the exchanges are either planned or are in hand.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes my hon. Friend agree that the position in this area is very much worse than in the country generally? In view of the important export contribution made by South Bedfordshire, could not special help be given to try to speed things up?
§ Mr. SlaterWe initiated relief measures some time ago, but the very heavy national demand for telephones has inevitably prevented us from completing some schemes as soon as we had hoped. I regret that we cannot speed them up, for the shortage of exchange equipment is a national and not a local problem.