HC Deb 20 December 1972 vol 848 cc1305-6
2. Mr. Geoffrey

Finsberg asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects to announce his conclusions on the next generation of trunk exchange equipment.

10. Mr. Golding

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he has yet received any decision relating to TXE 4 telephone exchanges from the Post Office Board; and whether he will make a statement.

The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (Sir John Eden)

The Post Office expects shortly to reach a conclusion about large local exchanges, after which the Government will take their decision as soon as possible and I will then inform the House.

Mr. Finsberg

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Has he completely ruled out the idea of laying a White Paper before the House giving his conclusions, so that the House may consider the matter in some detail?

Sir J. Eden

No, Sir. At this stage I have not ruled out any idea, but I have not yet received an account of the Post Office's own thinking on these matters.

Mr. Golding

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is important for him to press on the Post Office Board the importance of taking a decision as quickly as possible? Is he aware that any defer- ment of the decision will lead to a lowering of the quality of service, which in turn will be attacked from the benches behind him?

Sir J. Eden

I am not aware of any desire by the Post Office to delay a decision but, as the hon. Gentleman knows very well, it is one of considerable importance, not least to industrial and employment matters.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Talking of new equipment, will my right hon. Friend accept compliments upon the enormously improved equipment available to hon. Members?

Sir J. Eden

I am sure that the Post Office will be grateful for my hon. and gallant Friend's comments.