HC Deb 03 November 1948 vol 457 cc68-9W
14. Mr. Spence

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for the installation of a telephone have been outstanding for more than 12 months in Aberdeenshire.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

I regret that the figure asked for is not readily available. There are 1,017 applications in Aberdeenshire outstanding since 1st April, 1947, and 2,303 since 1st April, 1948.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that farmers receive no priority when making application for the installation of a telephone; whether he will state the position regarding such applications; and how many of such installations were made in 1947.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

Applications for the installation of telephones for farmers receive high priority, but provision of service in individual cases is necessarily dependent on availability of exchange equipment and external plant. Figures are not available for 1947, but 6,500 farmers were connected during the first six months of this year.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for installation of a telephone are outstanding in the county of Lancashire; how many are outstanding in the town of Darwen, the urban district of Turton and the Blackburn Rural District, respectively; and what is the average length of time in which such applications have been outstanding.

Mr. Wilfred Paling

On 30th September, 1948, 45,405 applications for telephone service were outstanding in the county of Lancashire. The corresponding figures for the town of Darwen, the urban district of Turton and the Blackburn Rural District are 145, 143, and 202. About 65 per cent. of the applications in the county of Lancashire and in Darwen, and about 50 per cent. of those in Turton and Blackburn have been received within the last 18 months.