§ 9. Mr. Francis Noel-Bakerasked the Postmaster-General when he will take steps to modernise the telephone system at Dover Marine Station, in view of the impression created by it on foreign visitors.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterI am sorry that the public call offices at Dover Marine cannot be converted to automatic working until the replacement of the existing manual exchange at Dover in 1970.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs my right hon. Friend aware that these boxes are the most antiquated in the country and that one cannot even get through to the exchange without putting in 4d., and that they give a lamentable impression to foreign visitors and others coming from the highly up-to-date Continental systems?
§ Mr. SlaterI do not disagree with my hon. Friend's observations, but the equipment order for the new exchange is about to be placed. This is the earliest possible ordering in relation to the availability of the building.