§ 39. Mr. J. Langford-Holtasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement on the steps being taken to improve the telephone service.
§ Mr. BurkeI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 4th February to the hon Member for Clay Cross (Mr. Neal) as regards the measures being taken to reduce delays in meeting applications for telephone service. New orders are at present exceptionally heavy and the difficulties both in meeting them and in providing a better standard of service to existing subscribers arise from the shortage of labour and the high percentage of staff of relatively short service. I expect a steady improvement as this section of the staff gains more experience and as more staff is released from the Forces.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs the Minister aware that the last reply was made two months ago, since when there has been 1385 no noticeable improvement in the telephone service? What measures is he now proposing so that some improvement can be introduced?
§ Mr. WalkdenBefore the Minister replies, will he convey—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why? "]—because it involves the same Question—to the officials in Doncaster the thanks of everybody who has been put on the telephone during the past few months?
§ Mr. BurkeCertainly, Sir. We are securing the releases of 2,000 engineers under Class B, and we have placed considerable contracts, more contracts being ready to be placed for equipment as soon as labour is available.