asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are outstanding in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth; and what is the cause of the prolonged delay in providing these services.

At the end of 1948 there was 7,991 applications for telephones outstanding in Edinburgh, 15,538 in Glasgow, 1,694 in Aberdeen 1,227 in Dundee and 482 in Perth. In these areas, as elsewhere, the delay in providing service is due to shortage of manpower and to the restricted supplies of telephone equipment available for home use.