§ Mr. John Astorasked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to reduce the present delay of approximately 12 months in installing telephones on the Reading/ Tilehurst exchange.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterI am sorry that because of a shortage of equipment we are unable to meet the rapidly growing demand for service on the Reading/ Tilehurst exchange. We are pressing ahead as quickly as possible with an extension of the exchange, but this is unlikely to be completed before next January.