§ 6 and 7. Mr. Bostonasked the Postmaster-General (1) how many additional lines have been installed between the United Kingdom and the United States of America in the six months from June, 1966, to December, 1966; and how many are planned for the current year up to 31st December, 1967;
(2) if he is satisfied that there are adequate telephone lines between the United Kingdom and the United States of America available for communication between 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time, and, especially, between 3 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterTwenty-five additional lines to the United States of America were installed between June and December, 1966, and 27 more are planned for 1967. These increases should meet traffic growth and reduce delays.
§ Mr. BostonThe news of these extra lines will be very welcome indeed. Does my hon. Friend appreciate that delays can have a very serious effect on exporters, especially during the peak period, and is he satisfied that these extra lines will go a long way towards meeting present demands?
§ Mr. SlaterYes, Sir. These new lines will improve the position. We now have no fewer than 150 lines between London and the United States of America. The Post Office has little or no control over the delay outside the afternoon period. The average delay during the afternoon period is usually 30 minutes, but most calls are booked in advance and these are generally connected a few minutes before or after the wanted time.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltWhy is it that when one makes a telephone call from New York to the United Kingdom one is connected within a matter of seconds but that when one makes a call from the United Kingdom to New York it takes considerably longer to get connected?
§ Mr. SlaterI do not know from where the hon. Gentleman gets his information. The average delay in the service is similar in both directions.