§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that over the last ten years the percentage increase in the number of telephones in this country is smaller than that in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, German Democratic Republic, German Federal Republic, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what plans he has to increase the number of telephones in this country.
§ Mr. BevinsI do not regard the percentages as providing a reliable basis of comparison. The United States is the only country with more telephones than the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom figures are about 50 per cent. higher than those of any other country except the United States.
My plans for expanding and mechanising the telephone service are described in the White Paper on Post Office Capital Expenditure 1960–61 (Cmnd. 973). The pace is determined by the capital resources available, but the number of telephones I expect to provide this year will be considerably greater than in recent years.