§ Mr. Gowerasked the Postmaster- General what proportion of private telephone subscribers in the county of Glamorgan and in the borough of Barry. respectively, have a shared-line service at present.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonThe figures are 39 per cent. in the county of Glamorgan and 55 per cent. in the borough of Barry.
§ Mr. Gowerasked the Postmaster- General if he will make a statement about the shared-line telephone service; what proportion of private telephone subscribers in the United Kingdom has a shared service at present; and how soon he hopes to meet the wishes of those who have expressed their desire for a separate service.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonShared service, with which two subscribers are connected by the same line to the Exchange, has greatly helped us to expand the telephone service at a time when capital is limited. About 38 per cent. of private telephone subscribers share their lines, the actual number being over 1 million. I would like everyone to have a choice of shared or separate lines. We do this wherever possible, but so long as there is a shortage of plant we cannot do it in all areas.