§ 35. Sir R. Russellasked the Postmaster-General to what extent telephone lines are not being used in daytime and in the evening to their full capacity, and in which areas of the country.
§ Mr. Joseph SlaterThere is normally some spare capacity outside the busiest hour. The general pattern is a high morning peak, a lower afternoon peak and an evening peak, but because of a temporary shortage of plant there is at present little spare capacity during the working day on lines linking some telephone exchanges, particularly in the Home Counties, the Midlands and the North-East.
§ Sir R. RussellCan the hon. Gentleman say whether anything is being done to try to spread the load in those areas where the peak is too high?
§ Mr. SlaterThe whole aim is to provide enough lines between telephone exchanges to carry the traffic during the busiest hours of the day without perceptible congestion.