§ 13. Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a statement on the results of changing over to seven-figure telephone numbers.
§ Mr. ChatawayI am told by the Post Office, which is responsible, that customers have responded well to the change-over in the six cities where all-figure numbering has been introduced.
§ Sir R. RussellWould not my right hon. Friend agree that although seven-figure telephone numbers are obviously necessary for trunk calls, they are not necessary so much for local calls, which form the vast majority of calls made? Would he ask the Post Office to consider possibly reverting in some respect to the old exchanges, which were much easier to remember not only for subscribers but also for operators?
§ Mr. ChatawayI agree that there were advantages in the old system in that it was much easier to remember. There would be very great difficulties in having a different system for local calls from that for trunk calls. In any case, this decision was taken some 5½ years ago, and there is no going back on it now.