§ 10. Mr. Molloyasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what steps he has taken in relation to the reorganisation of his Department designed to reduce manufacturers' delays in providing exchange equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir J. EdenThe progressing of its contractors' deliveries is a matter for the Post Office. I have, however, appointed a special adviser, Mr. Robin Hutton, who wil lassist me in a variety of industrial and financial matters affecting the Post Office.
§ Mr. MolloyWill the right hon. Gentleman inform Mr. Hutton that a great part of the schedules, programmes and intentions of Post Office engineers is frustrated, and often vitiated, because of inordinate delays in the provision of equipment by private contractors, and that much of the opprobrium which is vented on the Post Office ought properly to be vented on the private contractors who fail to make their proper contribution to the Post Office engineering staff?
§ Sir J. EdenThe contractors concerned, together with the Post Office, are doing their very best to improve on the delivery of some of this equipment which has contributed to the delays.
§ Mr. Kenneth LewisMy right hon. Friend puzzles me a little by his answer. He says that he has appointed someone to advise him, yet this is a matter for the Post Office. What is this adviser to do? How can he effectively improve the situation?
§ Sir J. EdenAmongst other things, the adviser will be bringing his expertise from the world of banking to extend the experience of my Department in such matters as the approval of Post Office investment programmes, the appraisal of corporate plans and the setting of financial objectives.