§ 38. Mr. Danceasked the Postmaster-General why there is still considerable delay in obtaining an answer from the operator when 100 is dialled.
§ Mr. BevinsUnfortunately, the operating staff at some exchanges in London and Birmingham, and in other areas, is below strength. I am doing all I can to improve matters.
§ Mr. DanceDoes my right hon. Friend realise that great inconvenience is being caused to the public over this; that on 24th November I put through a call at 11.10 p.m.—not in the peak hour—and it took me eight minutes 40 seconds to get any answer at all? Further, may I ask whether, if one dials 100 and gets this inhuman "buzz-buzz-buzz" and replaces the receiver in order to try again, one loses one's place in the queue?
§ Mr. BevinsAs I said, I am sorry about the delays on certain London exchanges, and I can assure my hon. Friend that I am doing all I humanly can to put matters right. It is largely due to shortage of staff, and to the great growth in telephone traffic in recent times, but I am taking a number of measures, including the recruitment of operators from the provinces and the provision of better accommodation. I am also, at the moment, making certain offers that should reduce the rate of wastage and attract people into the service.