§ 63. Mr. Martenasked the Postmaster-General what estimate he has made of the additional financial resources needed to bring the Oxford telephone area waiting list into line with the average waiting list for England.
§ Mr. BevinsI am sorry it is not possible to give an estimate in the form asked for by my hon. Friend because the new exchanges and cable schemes30W that are needed will provide for future development as well as existing needs, and because the Oxford and national waiting lists are both likely to change in the time it will take to complete these new works.
During the last five years the net increase in telephones in the Oxford area has been about 24 per cent. compared with about 18 per cent. in England. I shall, however, continue to give special attention to the Oxford area while the waiting list there remains so high.