§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Postmaster-General if he will reduce the charges for installing a telephone in the rural areas of the Parliamentary constituency of South Antrim; and if he will make a statement on his policy for the development of the telephone service in such areas.
§ Mr. BevinsI am sorry I cannot justify reduced charges for telephone service in the rural areas. Rural lines are usually longer and therefore more expensive than those in towns. I am anxious to develop the telephone system in all parts of the country, and this is, of course, one of the main objects of the development plans announced in the White PaperThe Telephone Service in an Expanding Economy (Cmnd. 2211).