§ Miss Quennellasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the long waiting list of applicants for telephones it the Petersfield constituency, and that in rural areas a telephone is often the only means of summoning aid in emergency, especially for elderly people; and if he will review his Department's plans with a view to the more expeditious provision of instruments for this category of applicant.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterLeaving aside orders under inquiry and being met, there are 410 applicants for telephones on the waiting list in the 28 exchange areas serving the Peters-field constituency. I realise the need for telephone service in these cases and we are pressing forward the provision of additional cables and more 167W exchange equipment. I hope that more than half of the outstanding applications will be met within six months and that most of the remainder will be met a few months later. The plans in the Peters-field constituency, as in other parts of the country, are designed to speed up the provision of all telephones so that by March, 1966 the waiting list is virtually abolished.