§ 68. Brigadier Lowasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he gives any priority in the supply of telephones to ex-Servicemen who have recently set themselves up in business on their own; and what is the average time which elapses between an application for a telephone for 121W business permises in Blackpool and the installation of that telephone.
§ Mr. Burke:Priority is given to applications for business telephones from ex-Servicemen who are disabled, or who, whether disabled or not, are restarting a business which had to be suspended because of war conditions, or who are engaged in a business which is of importance to the national welfare, for example, one concerned in the export trade, in the building of houses, or in the production of vital necessities. The average time between the receipt of an application for a business telephone in Blackpool and its installation is about ten weeks where priority is given. In view of the large number of applications entitled to priority, other applications cannot be met at present, but additional staff has been recruited and it is hoped to make a start on the waiting list within the next two to three months.