HC Deb 27 February 1969 vol 778 cc1900-1
32. Mr. Currie

asked the Postmaster-General how many existing telephone subscribers in County Down are being required to surrender existing telephone lines in order to be put on shared lines.

Mr. Stonehouse

One hundred and seven.

Mr. Currie

A month ago I wrote to the right hon. Gentleman about a person in Bangor who had been a subscriber for a number of years and had received a letter threatening that he would be cut off from the telephone service unless he agreed to share a party line. Does not the right thon. Gentleman agree that that is scandalous conduct? What steps will will he take to see that it does not occur again?

Mr. Stonehouse

I well remember the case, which I considered very carefully. But to ensure that as many of our potential subscribers as possible are linked to the system, we have to insist on shared lines.

33. Mr. Currie

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications have been made for connection to the telephone system in County Down during the past 12 months.

Mr. Stonehouse

A total of 6,581.

Mr. Currie

How many of these applicants have already been connected to the service? What will be the waiting period for those who have not yet been connected?

Mr. Stonehouse

There are 390 waiting for connection. I hope that they will be cleared very soon.

Captain Orr

What progress is being made with the technical possibilities of providing shared lines without either subscriber interfering with the other?

Mr. Stonehouse

Investigations are still continuing.