asked the Postmaster-General if the provision of adequate telephone facilities for the Sale area can now be facilitated.

Provision of telephone service to new subscribers in the Sale area is dependent on extension of the existing exchange building and installation of additional switching equipment. The work will be put in hand as quickly as our restricted programme of capital investment permits.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the improved facilities are likely to be available to these hard-pressed townspeople?

The position of the capital investment programme limits prophecies as to the future. I invite the hon. Gentleman to get the co-operation of the subscribers in that area, which would enable us to connect about 200 more people.

Could the right hon. Gentleman guarantee improved facilities to every other city, town, village, and hamlet in the United Kingdom?

This Question asks about the Sale area, not other areas.