§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General what progress is being made in eliminating the shared line telephone service; and what is the present estimate of its complete termination.
§ Mr. BevinsThere are now some 60,000 fewer shared lines than there were three years ago. My information is that some people like shared service, and I think it will remain a feature of our telephone system. At the same time I should 51W like to withdraw the compulsory liability to share, but I cannot say when there will be sufficient plant available to enable me to take this step. This depends on our resources, and on the future demand for telephones.