§ 3. Dr. Brayasked the Postmaster-General what proportion of dialled telephone calls fail to connect first time.
§ Mr. BevinsExcluding failures due to number engaged, no reply, or misdialling, the present average figure for local and trunk calls combined, is just over 3 per cent.
§ Dr. BrayIs the Minister aware that there is a widespread public feeling that this is perhaps higher than it should be? Will he take steps to obtain some international comparisons so that we can see how well we are doing in this respect?
§ Mr. BevinsI can tell the hon. Gentleman and the House that there has been a very substantial improvement during the last few months, and I am absolutely confident that this improvement will continue.
§ Sir L. RopnerHow does my right hon. Friend account for the fact that on dialling Darlington 2811 this morning I got a quite different number in Newcastle?