§ 49. Lieut.-Commander Baldockasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to give further information about the self-help scheme for providing telephone facilities for farmers.
§ Mr. GammansThis self-help scheme for farmers is an experiment to try to enable more farmers, especially in remote areas to go on the telephone at the present time when extensive limitations on our resources would mean that no service at all could be given. Roughly, under the scheme farmers will themselves provide and install wire from the nearest available Post Office pole route. There are, however, limitations. There must be equipment available at the local exchange and spare wires on the pole route nearest to the farm. The details are somewhat complicated and I am sending full particulars to my hon. Friend. Telephone managers are reviewing all outstanding applications from farmers and will be getting in touch with those who come within the scope of the new scheme.