HC Deb 29 July 1938 vol 338 c3495
31. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Postmaster-General when the new Greenock automatic telephone system will be in operation?

Sir W. Womersley

The Greenock exchange will, it is hoped, be converted to automatic working in 1941.

Mr. Gibson

Is it intended that this new automatic telephone system shall be contained in a new building, and has the new building been erected or is it in course of erection?

Sir W. Womersley

It will be in a new building, and a site has been approved, but there are certain legal difficulties to get over. My hon. and learned Friend will understand what that means in the way of delay. When the difficulties are overcome, we hope to proceed at once with the building.

Mr. Gibson

Will the hon. Member say whether all these things were in the mind of his right hon. Friend when, on 21st April, 1937, he told me that that new automatic telephone exchange would be in operation at the end of 1940?

Sir W. Womersley

No. What was in his mind at that time was the difficulty of getting a site, which he thought had been overcome, but he never contemplated the dreadful position of having legal gentlemen to deal with.

Mr. Gibson

On a point of Order. Can the hon. Gentleman say whether or not there are legal advisers for his Department?

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