HC Deb 09 November 1950 vol 480 cc99-100W
Mr. Braine

asked the Postmaster-General how many subscribers are awaiting the installation of telephones in each of the four urban districts of Billericay, Rayleigh, Benfleet and Canvey Island; how many of these in each district have been waiting for over 12 months; and on what grounds priority is given.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The particulars desired are as follows:

Urban District Total applications outstanding at 30.9.1950 Applications (included in the previous col.) made prior to 1.10.1949
Billericay 539 378
Rayleigh 95 34
Benfleet 269 176
Canvey Island 78 25

Priority for the provision of telephones is given to the essential requirements of public utilities, health and life saving services, Government Departments, and to those engaged on production for export or for saving imports. Subject to these broad classes of priority, business applicants are in general given preference over residential applicants.

Mr. Kaberry

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants at the latest available date were waiting for telephones in Leeds; what was the date of the oldest outstanding application; and how many telephones it is hoped to install in Leeds in 1951.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Five thousand eight hundred and sixty-five applications were outstanding on 30th September, 1950, the date of the earliest being 7th December, 1940. It is hoped to provide service for about 3,600 in 1951.