§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Postmaster-General how he is getting on with the extension of the telephone service to the farming districts of this country; and what arrangements are now available for the use of telephones by farmers?
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§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe Rural Party Line service introduced before the War to afford telephonic facilities at low rates to residents in rural districts is still in operation and additional subscribers are accepted, subject to payment of the usual £4 surcharge in the first year, unless a considerable amount of work is involved. During the last 12 months over 500 new call offices have been approved in rural districts and some of these will be of benefit to farmers. I hope that when more progress has been made in overtaking the arrears of work which accumulated during the War, it may be possible more freely to extend telephone facilities in rural areas.