asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what was the capital allocated for the provision of telephones in Wales and the Border Counties Region for the years 1945 to 1951; and what is the estimate for 1952.

The figures are:

1945–46	…	…	…	£569,000
1946–47	…	…	…	£979,000
1947–48	…	…	…	£1,753,000
1948–49	…	…	…	£1,310,000
1949–50	…	…	…	£1,894,000
1950–51	…	…	…	£1,730.000

The forecast figure for 1951–52 is £1,756,000 and the estimate for 1952–53 is £1,679,000.The figures represent expenditure on local and junction cables, exchange equipment and buildings, and on connecting up subscribers and telephone kiosks. They exclude expenditure on the trunk service since this represents not only development in Wales but also development of the national system.