§ Mr. A. SHORTasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the demand for the extension of the telephone system in urban and rural areas, he can state if any action is being taken to meet this demand; whether he has considered the advisability of utilising wire, instruments, and insulators available from war or munition factory sources; whether there is any supply of such articles available; and, if so, whether, in view of the present volume of unemployment, he will take steps to put this work in hand without delay?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHA large sum of money is being spent in order to overtake the arrears of telephone construction and maintenance work which have accumulated during the War. Stores provided for war purposes and now available for other purposes will be utilised in all cases in which they are found to be suitable for ordinary telephone work. Such work is being proceeded with as quickly as the skilled labour at present procurable will allow.