asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now indicate an earlier completion date of the necessary work in the Stockport and Marple exchange telephone areas in order to connect the 205 applicants on the waiting list; what is the latest date on which a service will be provided for these people; and whether priority will be given to the 38 who have been waiting for more than two years.

The situation will be re-examined as part of the programme announced in the recent White Paper on the Inland Telephone Service, but I am sorry we cannot yet say what speeding up will be possible. Meanwhile, new cables are being laid and service is being given to the applicants now on the waiting list as plant becomes available. Many, including 24 of those waiting over two years, will have telephones within the next few weeks and the vast majority by the late summer of 1964.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this new hope will be very welcome indeed in these two districts?