HC Deb 14 May 1947 vol 437 c161W
84. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Public Information Officer in Palestine has rejected, on political grounds, the request by the Communist newspaper Kol Haam for the installation of a telephone; and whether he will take steps to rectify this act of political discrimination.

Mr. Creech Jones

There is no truth in the allegation that a request by this newspaper for the installation of a telephone has been rejected on political grounds. Owing to the acute shortage of connections to the exchanges in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa, applications for installations are dealt with in rotation and special priority is accorded only in cases considered essential in the public interest.