Telephone Installations

Oral Answers to Questions — Post Office – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 26 Tachwedd 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr John Lewis Mr John Lewis , Bolton 12:00, 26 Tachwedd 1947

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones have been installed, respectively, in the Bolton and Farnworth districts during the last three months; and how many installations it is estimated will be made during the next three months.

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

During the past three months, 289 new telephones have been provided in the area served by the Bolton exchange, and 26 in the Farnworth area. It is expected that the figures for the next three months will be 200 and 26, respectively.

Photo of Mr John Lewis Mr John Lewis , Bolton

Is it possible to ensure that organisations responsible for the public services, like hotels and some business organisations, will have priority?

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

That is the usual policy of the Department; they are among the people who have priority.

Photo of Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge , Bedford

asked the Postmaster-General what number of new telephones have been installed throughout the country during the year ended 31st July, 1947.

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

The number of new telephones installed during the year ended 31st July, 1947, was 685,243.

Photo of Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge , Bedford

Can my hon. Friend tell me how that figure compares with the number of telephones installed during the years 1937 and 1938?

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

Not without notice, but I can give my hon. Friend the number of telephones installed in the peak year of installation before the war. In 1936–37 it was 400,581.

Photo of Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge , Bedford

Does not that answer provide further evidence of the great achievements of His Majesty's present Government?

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

It might be the case that sometimes we hide our light under a bushel.

Photo of Mr David Gammans Mr David Gammans , Hornsey

asked the Postmaster-General what was the number of applicants for telephones on the Mount-view and Tudor exchanges on 1st November; and what were the corresponding figures for 1st January, 1947.

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

On 1st November the applicants waiting for service on the Mountview and Tudor exchanges numbered 1,307 and 1,028 respectively. The corresponding figures for the 1st January were 1,234 and 947.

Photo of Mr David Gammans Mr David Gammans , Hornsey

When does the hon. Gentleman think that people who put down their names for telephones on these two exchanges will be likely to get them?

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

The answer is that the same applies at all other telephone exchanges; when we have the cable and materials available.

Photo of Sir John Crowder Sir John Crowder , Finchley

Meanwhile, will the Minister do something about the lack of staff on the Tudor exchange, because it is really quicker to send a post card than to telephone in that district?

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

That is another question entirely, and if the hon. and gallant Member cares to put it down, we will look into the matter.

Photo of Mr Alfred Bossom Mr Alfred Bossom , Maidstone

asked the Postmaster-General why, when a tenant gives up occupation of a house, the telephone service is discontinued and the new tenant has to waft his or her turn for afresh installation.

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

An incoming tenant is normally allowed to take over the existing telephone. Only where there are waiting applicants with stronger claims is the line diverted for the use of the senior applicant.

Photo of Mr Alfred Bossom Mr Alfred Bossom , Maidstone

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is regularly taking place in Kent, and is it not an utter waste of labour to take out a telephone and then later to have to put it back again? It is wrong and ridiculous.

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

Our usual practice is to allow an incoming tenant who requires it to have a telephone which is there—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—but in cases where there are priority applications and people who have been waiting for many years it is manifestly unfair to make that an invariable practice.

Photo of Sir Waldron Smithers Sir Waldron Smithers , Orpington

Who is the judge of priority?

Mr. Johnson-Hicks:

Will the hon. Gentleman say what he considers "abnormal," and whether there are any normal cases at the present time?

Photo of Mr Charles Hobson Mr Charles Hobson , Wembley North

There are. As a matter of fact, we have transferred 106,000 telephones to incoming tenants during the past 12 months, but where there is a shortage of spare wires in the cables, it would, as I said, be unfair not to give consideration to those who have been waiting for many years.