§ 34. Mr. Pounderasked the Postmaster-General how often during the past six months there have been delays on telephone lines between London and Belfast; and how this compares with a year previously.
§ Mr. Edward ShortExcept on the occasion of cable faults there have been no serious delays between London and Belfast since March when the number of circuits available was increased by 20 per cent.
§ Mr. PounderI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Can he give the House any idea of what plans there 424 are for further increases on the trunk line between London and Belfast, bearing in mind the ever-growing volume of traffic on this line?
§ Mr. ShortI am giving urgent and personal attention to the question of forecasting, because it is a vital matter. The number of circuits was increased from 159 to 189 in March, and I am pleased to be able to tell the hon. Gentleman that we hope to increase the number of circuits by another 15 per cent. at the end of this year.