HC Deb 07 December 1960 vol 631 cc1266-7
38. Mr. Dance

asked the Postmaster-General why there is still considerable delay in obtaining an answer from the operator when 100 is dialled.

Mr. Bevins

Unfortunately, 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. Dance

Does 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. Bevins

As 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.

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