§ Mr. Geoffrey Lloydasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the Birmingham area has the longest waiting list in the country for telephones, he will give over-riding priority to providing more telephones for Birmingham.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI am concerned that the waiting list for telephones at Birmingham is so high, and we are according special priority to the supply of additional equipment at exchanges in the area. I expect the backlog to be overtaken in stages throughout the remainder of this year and the beginning of next.