asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that subscribers endeavouring to obtain a number which is out of action are consistently informed that the number is engaged; and if he will take steps to correct this misleading practice.

This is not correct. When a fault on a subscriber's line is reported, the "Number Unobtainable" tone is connected to the line concerned. There may, however, be some delay in doing this if a fault occurs at smaller exchanges where enginering staff are not present continuously, or at certain larger exchanges outside the normal hours of engineering attendance.