§ 23. Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of continuing delays in obtaining an operator on London phonograms and of the poor quality of the service as regards sound transmission and intelligibility; and what steps he is taking to improve the service.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonYes, Sir. I am sorry there have been delays in answering due to the staff being under strength. More telegraphists are now completing their training, and I hope that the service will improve as they become proficient. Phonogram circuits are tested daily for quality of transmission, but special checks are being made and I hope there will be no further difficulty.
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsOn the question of delay, can the Assistant Postmaster-General say what is the average speed of answer normally on the phonogram, and, on the second matter, in view of the considerable number of operators employed on the phonogram service, does that not seem reasonable to suggest that the noble Lord the Member for Dorset. South (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) should try to be more in touch with English as it is spoken by ordinary men and women?
§ Mr. ThompsonI do not think that I am called upon to comment on the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question. As regards the first part, we try to keep the length of waiting time as short as possible, but there are difficulties in the recruitment of staff.