§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office authorities have entered into 936W arrangements with a local butcher to engage his premises for the purpose of a central telephone exchange in Longford at the remuneration of £100 per annum for seven years; whether he is aware that for many reasons such an arrangement would be objectionable to telephone users in Longford; whether he is aware that there is accommodation in the new post office in Longford for the installation required in connection with this exchange; and, seeing that if he proceeds to carry out this arrangement the local guarantors for the telephone will withdraw their guarantees forthwith, will he consider the advisability of making other arrangements?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELPremises for the proposed telephone exchange in Longford have been taken from a local cattle dealer and butcher for a period of seven years with a break in the lease at the end of five years. The rent is not, however, £100 a year. There is no accommodation for the exchange in the Longford Post Office, and no new post office is being provided there. No other suitable premises could be found.
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Postmaster-General whether he realises the inconvenience experienced by the troops on Salisbury Plain and by the tradesmen and others who supply them with provisions or arrange for motor transport in the district owing to the nonexistence of a telephone exchange at Amesbury; and whether, and how soon, the undertaking given to local residents last November that such an exchange would be provided will be carried out?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI cannot trace that any undertaking was given to local residents last November that an exchange would be provided at Amesbury. The establishment of an exchange at that place has, however, recently been authorised and the work is in hand, but I fear that some months must unavoidably elapse before the exchange can be opened.