§ 72 and 73. Mr. Edelmanasked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware that the number of telephone lines available on the Coventry telephone exchange is inadequate for the requirements of the city, and will not provide the services necessary for the population and industries anticipated under the city's development plan; and what steps he is taking to overcome this shortage;
(2) when he proposes to build a new telephone exchange for Coventry.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe resources of the Post Office in manpower and plant are severely restricted to meet the needs of the national export drive and I regret that Coventry, in common with other towns, cannot be provided for some considerable time with all the telephones it needs. A new telephone exchange is planned for Coventry but the site bought for this purpose is now required for the city's replanning and a new one will have to be obtained. Erection of the necessary building, and manufacture, installation and testing of the equipment, will take a number of years. In the meantime, the needs of industry and other essential users in Coventry will be met by two small new exchanges to be opened this year, and by an extension of the main exchange to its maximum capacity which I hope will be completed during 1950.