Mr. BLINDELLasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the sum of £1,750,000 will be expended during the next six months for the establishment of public telephone call boxes at rural post offices and railway stations, a definite scheme has been prepared; and, if so, can he give the number of such public call boxes to be established in the Holland-with-Boston Division of Lincolnshire?
§ Viscount WOLMERI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Monday to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece).
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that con- 1075W siderable telephone extensions in rural districts are now being made, he will bear in mind the imperative need of such means of communication with the island of Stroma?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe only practicable means of giving the Island of Stroma telephonic communication with the mainland would be by wireless, and I regret that the expenditure involved would be prohibitive.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Postmaster-General (1) which rural railway stations in Caithness and Sutherland are to be equipped with telephones in accordance with the Budget proposals;
(2) what proportion of the post offices in Caithness and Sutherland, respectively, which have no telephone facilities at present will be equipped with call boxes, in accordance with Budget proposals; and if he will give the names of the post offices which are to be so equipped?
§ Viscount WOLMERI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply on Monday to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece).