Continental Telephone Exchange

HC Deb 14 December 1960 vol 632 cc391-2

20. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he will now take to speed up service on the Continental telephone exchange; and what representations he has received in this connection from the Foreign Press Association, from other bodies, and from individual members of the public.

Mr. Bevins

I have received representations from a number of interests. The delays are due to a shortage of French-speaking operators and to an unexpectedly rapid increase in traffic. I have announced increases in the language allowance and also in the standard rates of pay. I am pressing forward with the mechanisation of our services with the Continent. I am glad to say there has recently been some improvement in the service.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is the Postmaster-General aware that many people, including journalists and people with business reasons for telephoning, as well as private citizens, think that London has much the slowest Continental service of any big capital city in Europe? Is he aware that although the speed of being put through when one gets the Continental exchange may have improved, one may have to wait up to fifteen minutes before getting the Continental exchange? Does he appreciate that that is having a disastrous effect on foreign correspondents in this country, and will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that something effective will be done?

Mr. Bevins

I am very well aware of these criticisms and I have met a number of people about them in the last three months, during which time I have taken a number of active steps to improve the position. The time of answering has been halved at this exchange, but even so I admit that at present it is not satisfactory and I intend to push on until we have it right.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any contact with education authorities, as the main recruiting difficulty appears to be on the grounds of linguistic qualifications, so that it might be a good idea to get in touch with education authorities about the matter?

Mr. Bevins

That has been done.