§ 92. Mr. Asshetonasked the Postmaster-General how much of the funds allotted to his Department for works involving capital expenditure will be spent in the Blackburn area during the current financial year, and whether he is satisfied that the allocation is adequate.
§ Mr. Hobson£262,000 has been allotted to the Blackburn telephone area for capital development in 1950–51; but I must emphasise that the inter-relation between capital works in neighbouring areas, and the spread of large schemes over more than 12 months, make figures for any one area taken in isolation an unreliable guide. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that our limited resources are utilised to the best national advantage.
§ 93. Mr. Asshetonasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory position with regard to new telephone equipment at the Blackburn Exchange; and whether he can hold out any hope of improvement in the near future.
§ Mr. HobsonA temporary manual exchange should be ready by September, and should meet development for the next few years until a new automatic exchange can be provided.