Mr. SUMMERSasked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange that the post offices at Caergwrle, Flint Mountain, Halkyn, Overton, Llanarmon, and Llanferres, which have telephone wires, may be used as telephone call offices, and also all other post offices which have telephone wires and instruments installed; and, if it is necessary for the purposes of intercommunication to make some arrangements with the National Telephone Company, will he enter into negotiations at once, so that this public convenience may be made available at an early date?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The telegraph lines at the offices mentioned by the hon. Member have been fitted with telephones for the purpose of sending forward telegrams to the local transmitting centres. They are not suitable for use for general telephone exchange communication, and in some cases are filled with existing traffic. I will, however, inquire and inform the hon. Member as to the steps that would be necessary before the facilities mentioned could be afforded at these offices. General arrangements are in force for intercommunication between the call offices and exchanges of the Post Office and the National Telephone Company's exchange system.