Automatic Exchange, Stoke-on-Trent

HC Deb 01 July 1959 vol 608 c459

29. Mrs. Slater

asked the Postmaster-General when it is estimated that Stoke-on-Trent will have a new automatic exchange for trunk dialling.

Mr. Marples

During 1964–65, when we expect to complete the installation of a new exchange in a new building for which we are now acquiring a site.

Mrs. Slater

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is a very long time away for a large city such as Stoke-on-Trent and for the area which this trunk dialling exchange would cover, which is the whole of North Staffordshire almost down as far as Stafford? Could he not bring the date forward to a much earlier date than 1964?

Mr. Marples

I am afraid not. Whenever we change equipment it is desirable that we should install subscribers' trunk dialling instead of the old automatic equipment. As we propose that almost 60 per cent. of the calls shall be subscriber trunk dialled in the next five years, it is a fairly good programme.