HC Deb 10 March 1954 vol 524 cc2224-5
29. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the average length of time taken for a subscriber to get a reply from the operator on the Chester exchange when making a trunk call.

Mr. Gammans

Five and a half seconds.

Mr. Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that in many, many cases it takes at least as many minutes to get an answer, and that if the subscriber tries to obtain help in his difficulties, that in turn takes five minutes at least?

Mr. Gammans

My hon. Friend asked me for the average time, and I have given it.

Mr. Driberg

How ample a sample did the hon. Gentleman take in order to establish this average?

Mr. Gammans

It is on the meter. There is no difficulty about it. It. is the average time taken at present at the Chester exchange.