HC Deb 12 November 1940 vol 365 cc1590-1
78. Sir T. Moore

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the priority claims on telephone calls from London to the Home Counties frequently preclude any private telephoning; and whether close control is kept over the extent to which such priority telephone calls are allowed to be accepted?

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Captain Waterhouse)

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 6th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) of which I am sending him a copy.

Sir T. Moore

Cannot my hon. and gallant Friend publish a priority list for the information of hon. Members, so that we may know exactly what the position is with regard to priority calls?

Captain Waterhouse

The matter of priority is a departmental one for the Departments concerned.

Sir Joseph Lamb

Will my hon. and gallant Friend try to see that priority calls are used for priority purposes only?

Captain Waterhouse

We are aware that there is a very gross abuse of priority calls, and we do our best to check them.