§ 12. Mr. Fisherasked the Postmaster-General when the Elmbridge telephone exchange will become automatic.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterWe plan to open the new Elmbridge automatic exchange, with S.T.D. in mid-1966.
§ Mr. FisherThat is a little better than I expected, but may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that it is a very bad service at present? I have taken deputations to see his predecessor, and have had endless correspondence over the years. Can the hon. Gentlemen expedite it further? What is delaying the installation of an automatic system?
§ Mr. SlaterPerhaps the answer which I can now give the hon. Gentleman in reply to his supplementary question will assist him much more. We are starting to install the equipment this month. It will take about 18 months to do this work.