HC Deb 19 April 1961 vol 638 cc1161-2
47 and 48. Mr. W. R. Williams

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether the operating and supervisory staffs at the Continental Trunk Exchange are up to authorised establishment;

(2) what is the average delay on calls made from northern provincial offices to Continental Trunks during peak traffic hours; and what complaints he has received of excessive delays.

Mr. Bevins

Unfortunately, the linguistic operating staff is still about 25 per cent. below strength. All the supervisory posts are filled, some by temporary promotion.

I have received a number of complaints about delays. On the average, the connection of calls from the North to the Continental Exchange takes about one minute, but it is sometimes longer. I am doing all I can to improve the service by stimulating recruitment, which I am glad to say is now improving, and by other means.

Mr. Williams

In noting the right hon. Gentleman's general comments, may I ask whether one of the difficulties in recruiting suitable operators into the Continental Trunk Exchange is that the allowance for the specialist linguistic qualifications is regarded by most of the operators as quite inadequate? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into this?

Mr. Bevins

I recently did so and increased the language allowance, I think last October, from 19s. to 35s. a week, and at the same time there were improvements in pay and conditions generally. I believe that the situation is now improved at that Exchange. We have 214 telephonists now in training and I am sure that the situation will continue to improve.

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