asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the estimated aggregate number of outstanding applications for telephone service; at what rate new applications are being received; at what rate telephones are now being installed; at what date it is estimated that telephones will be installed immediately on application; and at what date it is anticipated that active canvassing will be resumed by his Department in connection with promotion of telephone sales.

About 350,000 applications for telephone service are now outstanding. During the last six months of 1946, new applications were received at the rate of 72,000 a month, and telephones were provided at the rate of 65,000 a month, nearly double the prewar rate of installation. The delay in the provision of telephones is largely the result of the cessation during the war of construction work for the public service. In view of the heavy demands on the national manufacturing and building resources, it is not possible at present to forecast when telephones will be supplied on application or when canvassing for orders will be resumed.

Will the hon. Gentleman approach the President of the Board of Trade with a view to the appointment of a working party of private industrialists to inquire into the telephone service?

No, Sir. We can make our own inquiries.