§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that new houses are being completed at East Kilbride at the rate of about 60 every month; and by what dates he hopes to be able to provide telephone service for the 266 applicants whose requests were still outstanding at the end of 1953.
§ Mr. GammansEquipment available in the present telephone exchange, together with equipment for a further 200 subscribers which will be installed in a temporary building next year, should cater for applications for telephones at business premises or for removing residential subscribers. I regret that, as a new building for a larger permanent telephone exchange is required, it will be some time before telephones can be supplied to new residential applicants. The provision of ducts is keeping pace with the town's development, and enough new cables are being drawn in to enable lines up to the capacity of the exchange to be connected.
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Assistant Postmaster-General why his Department classify as residential applicants those business and professional men who desire to have a telephone at home for business purposes.
§ Mr. GammansIn the interest of business requirements generally only applicants who work entirely at home and use the telephone primarily for business purposes are as a normal rule connected at the business rate.
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he expects that the process of rearranging and altering the underground telephone cables at East Kilbride will be sufficiently 79W advanced to enable all who need a telephone for business purposes to be supplied.
§ Mr. GammansPriority is being given to business premises and there should. in general, be little delay in providing them with telephones. Of the 28 applications on hand at 30th June. 16 were in course of being met.