Shared Service

43.

Mr. Gammans
asked the Postmaster-General for how long it is anticipated that private subscribers must  accept the principle of a shared service before being given a line.

Mr. Wilfred Paling
I cannot at present foresee when new and removing residential subscribers will no longer be required to accept liability to share their lines. Shared service is enabling us to provide telephones for many people whose applications could not otherwise be met.

Mr. William Shepherd
To what extent is the Postmaster-General getting a bigger allocation of capital equipment in order to meet this demand?

Mr. Paling
That is another matter.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke
In view of the general disquiet about the state of the telephone service and the priority system now in force, would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation of Members of Parliament?

Mr. Paling
I do not agree that there is any general disquiet, in view of the fact that we have put in one in three telephones since the war.

Captain Crookshank
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the difficulty now is labour or materials, because at one time it was both?

Mr. Paling
Both, Sir.