§ 45 and 46. Sir L. Thomasasked the Postmaster-General (1) how many applications for telephones in the Canterbury area are still outstanding; and how many have been outstanding for six months or more;
(2) how many telephone exchanges in the Canterbury area cannot accept a new customer because of lack of equipment.
§ Mr. BevinsI am sorry that the connection of new customers is limited by shortage of equipment in 26 of the 107 exchanges in the Canterbury Telephone Area.
At the beginning of the year, 1,053 applications for telephones were outstanding in the area. In addition, 1,569 were under inquiry or in course of being met. The present waiting list represents 0.7 per cent. of the total number of exchange connections in the Area.
I am sorry that the number of applications outstanding for six months or more is not readily available.