asked the Postmaster-General how long it will be before new equipment is installed at the Headington telephone exchange in Oxford; how many applicants are now waiting for service in that area; and what is the average time for which they have been waiting.

The Headington exchange was extended in April, 1948, and no further extension is contemplated at present. There are 390 outstanding applications for service in this area, and these are held up by shortage of line plant and labour. The average period of waiting of these applications is about 18 months.