§ Mr. G. W. H. JONESasked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that Mr. R. W. Crowther, J.P., of Dunwood House, Church Street, Stoke Newington, applied before the War to have the telephone installed in Dunwood House, and that, despite Mr. Crowther's further applications during and since the War, no such installation has taken place; whether there have been a number of telephonic installations in the same district meanwhile; and whether there is any, and what, reason for the delay or for differential treatment against Mr. Crowther?
§ Mr. PEASEThe earliest record of an application is in the beginning of 1919. It has not hitherto been practicable to meet Mr. Crowther's requirements in consequence of lack of spare wires in the underground cables concerned. It is the general practice to deal with all applications since the Armistice in their chronological order, so far as the plant conditions permit; but, as there may be spare wires in one thoroughfare and not in another, the appearance of preferential treatment cannot always be avoided.