§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to end the national shortage of telephone exchange equipment which is being used by his Leeds office, as a reason for their inability to install telephones in the Louth district, as is shown in the correspondence sent to him by the hon. Member for Louth.
§ Mr. Edward ShortWe are doing all we can to overcome the present national 271W shortage of exchange equipment to which my Leeds office referred. This year we plan to spend on exchange equipment more than double the amount of two years ago. Supplies are being delayed due to the enormous pressure on manufacturing output, but I am satisfied that the manufacturers, too, are making great efforts to meet our requirements.