asked the Postmaster-General what slowing down in the rate of expenditure on capital projects and equipment in the telecommunication services there has been since the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement on 27th July.

The rate of expenditure on capital projects for the operational development and modernisation of the services for public use is not being retarded. Other telecommunications expenditure is, however, being postponed by £½ million this year and £5 million next year. These postponements will affect mainly nonoperational buildings, stores purchases and promotional publicity.