§ 101. Mr. REMERasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the serious delays in trunk telephone services; and whether he can promise at an early date a reasonable service for long-distance calls?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Pike Pease)The attention of my right hon. Friend has been drawn to this matter. The causes of the delays have been chiefly (1) the damage due to winter storms, which is now nearly repaired; (2) the priority given during the War to Government messages over private messages, which priority has now been abolished; and (3) the use of trunk circuits for special naval and military purposes.
The construction of additional circuits where they are most needed is being put in hand. There is already some improvement in the service, and this will increase considerably as lines are restored to their normal purposes and the number of Government calls decreases.
Sir H. DALZIELCan the hon. Gentleman give us any indication when the London-Paris telephone will be re-opened?