§ 4. Mr. Russellasked the Assistant Postmaster-General to what extent the quality of the service given by the automatic telephone system in the London area has continued to show improvement since his predecessor announced, in November, 1950, that the average standard of service was already better than pre-war.
§ Mr. GammansI am glad to say that 84.5 per cent of all lines in the London telephone area are now on automatic exchanges as compared with 74 per cent. before the war, and that as compared with 1950 the average time taken to answer trunk and toll calls has fallen from 10.2 seconds to 6.8, a lower figure than prewar. There are also fewer failures to get through to a subscriber at the first attempt owing to faults in the Post Office plant. The percentage is now below pre-war.
§ Mr. RussellCan my hon. Friend say when the other 15 per cent. of subscribers in the London area are likely to be put on automatic exchanges?
§ Mr. GammansI cannot say that without notice.