§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Postmaster-General (1) why the new exchange for Bude will not now be completed by the middle of 1967;
(2) when the new exchange for Bude will be completed;
(3) if he will give the name of the company which promised to supply the Post Office with the new telephone exchange for Bude by the middle of 1967; and what reasons have been given by this company for defaulting on its contract.
§ Mr. Edward ShortWhile the extension of equipment at the existing Bude exchange-which we hoped to have ready this summer-will not now be fully completed until early in 1968, equipment provided in advance of full completion will enable service to be given to most of the waiting applicants by the end of this year. I am sorry for the deferment, but I do not think it would be fair to publicise the name of the contractor in this context. All our contractors are under heavy pressure at present due to the greatly increased demands we have made on them for exchange equipment.