Telephone Service (Applications)

Mr. Hobson
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of telephone exchanges which are now full; and what percentage that represents of the total number.

Mr. Gammans
163 exchanges are completely full, and at a further 1,039 only priority applications can be accepted. Together these represent just over 20 per cent. of the total number of exchanges.

Mr. Hobson
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of applications outstanding for telephones on 31st January, 1952, and the number outstanding on 31st January, 1951.

Mr. Gammans
486,712 on 31st January, 1952, and 543,045 on 31st January, 1951.

Mr. John MacLeod
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many people on the mainland of Ross and Cromarty are now on the waiting list for telephones; and how many have had telephones installed during 1951.

Mr. Gammans
At 31st December, 1951, 269 applications were on the waiting list. 234 lines were connected in 1951.