§ 5. Mr. Gowerasked the Postmaster-General how many telephone exchanges in England, Wales, and Scotland, respectively, are to be converted from manual 1334 to automatic systems during the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonThirty-five in England, 15 in Wales, and 47 in Scotland—97 in all. The Scottish list includes a high proportion of small exchanges. While conversion to automatic working is general policy, the time-table in individual cases must depend on practical considerations such as the need to increase the size of the exchange and the condition of the existing equipment.