84. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the reorganisation of the traffic branch of the London telephone service, so far as the exchange managers are concerned, has been outstanding since before the appointment of the Holt Committee, and that the exchange managers were referred by the Department to that Committee for a settlement of their case, and a proposed scheme was laid before the Holt Committee by the Department's witness; and whether, in view of his recent statement to the effect that the matter was still under consideration, he can say what progress, if any, has been made and when the scheme is likely to be put into operation?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Hobhouse)It is not the case that a scheme for the reorganisation of the 1923 traffic section of the London telephone service was laid before the Holt Committee, though certain proposals with regard to the duties of the exchange managers were mentioned in evidence. The matter has, however, been engaging attention for some time past, and is now under consideration by a Departmental Committee. In the meantime, I regret that I am not in a position to make any further announcement on the subject, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that there will be no avoidable delay.