HC Deb 13 May 1959 vol 605 cc1223-4
10. Mr. Robert Cooke

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the new system of subscriber trunk dialling at Bristol is being used; what is the general reaction to it; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marples

Bristol Central subscribers are now dialling themselves 97 per cent. of their trunk calls to the towns accessible by subscriber trunk dialling, which include about half the telephones in the country, and are making 40 per cent. more calls to these places than they did before.

Trunk calls are usually shorter now, and with the new tariff this means better value for money. So, too, with local calls, where 77 per cent, of those made by Brstol subscribers now last less than three minutes and are charged at 2d. instead of 3d., as previously. Our customers seem pleased with the service, and I am grateful for their co-operation in making it a success.

Mr. Cooke

I thank my right hon. Friend for his encouraging reply. Will he note that his good report is confirmed by the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and other responsible local bodies?

Mr. Marples

We sent out a questionnaire, and we have received 1,600 replies, nearly all of which have been favourable. When we have analysed them, I propose to give the House some more information about what the telephone users think.

Mr. C. R. Hobson

Can the Postmaster-General tell the House when he proposes to extend the Bristol system, in view of the fact that the Bristol people, while they welcome it, are at a distinct financial advantage compared with people in the rest of the country?

Mr. Marples

The programme is set out in the last White Paper. If the hon. Gentleman reads Appendix A or Appendix B of that, he will see the whole programme set out there. It is put on a rather rough basis, but at any rate it will be in that order. Perhaps the bon. Gentleman would care to look at it.

Mr. Ross

Will the Postmaster-General now extend the system to Kilmarnock, where we still have the manual exchange system and not the automatic system even for local calls?

Mr. Marples

I will certainly look at the position in Kilmarnock, which is a most important place.

Mr. Ross

Hear, hear.