§ 82. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Postmaster-General, in view of the rise in the ownership of telephones from 22 per cent. in 1966 to 25 per cent. in 1967, as set out in the official publication, Britain in Figures, what are the reasons for the shortage of telephones in the Cheltenham area.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterThe shortage results from an exceptionally high increase in applications for telephones in the Cheltenham area, and from the exchange equipment manufacturers' difficulties in matching the overall increase in Post Office requirements. We hope to bring new equipment into service next spring.