§ Mr. Benceasked the Postmaster-General what is the number of telephone subscribers who are on a shared line service in Clydebank, Bearsden, Milngavie, Kirkintilloch and Cumbernauld; and what steps he is taking to ensure that these subscribers receive a private line service.
§ Mr. BevinsThe figures at 31st March 1964 were:
Clydebank 832 Bearsden 1,710 Milngavie 388 Kirkintilloch 808 Cumbernauld 256 As stated in the White Paper on The Inland Telephone Service in an Expanding Economy (Cmnd. 2211) shared service must continue in the short term if my aim to abolish the waiting list for telephones by March 1966 is to be achieved. My ultimate objective is to remove compulsory sharing and to give exclusive lines to all who want them, but I cannot say when this will be possible.