§ 56. Sir A. BEITasked the Postmaster-General when the conversion of the London telephone system to the automatic system will be completed; and what is the present annual rate of progress?
§ Sir K. WOODThe conversion of the London telephone system to automatic working will, in accordance with the present programme, be completed within the next 10–12 years. There are at present 118,460 automatic subscribers' lines in the London area, or about 31 per cent. of the total. Future progress must depend to some extent upon the rate of new development achieved, but the past average has been about 30,000 lines a year.
§ Sir A. BEITCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any assurance that the sharp noises which so often hurt our ears when we are using the telephone will be removed when the system is complete?
§ 57. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Postmaster-General the total amount paid in licence fees for the automatic telephones?
§ Sir K. WOODThe total amount paid in royalties in respect of automatic telephone plant since 1923 is approximately £43,000.