HC Deb 28 June 1972 vol 839 cc1425-6
13. Mr. Tilney

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office for push-button field trials to be undertaken in areas outside London.

Sir J. Eden

My information is that some trials are planned for areas outside London, and a general direction would not be appropriate.

Mr. Tilney

Is it true that one of these trials is in Manchester, and is not this another example of the central Government preferring Manchester to Merseyside?

Sir J. Eden

The answer to the last part of the question is "No". Decisions about trials are for the Post Office and I suggest to my hon. Friend that, if he has not already done so, he should make his inquiries there.

Mr. Lesile Huckfield

Is it true that the mechanism which the Post Office has adopted for the push-button system will not speed things up very much? Would it not be better to have the American system of push-button dialling which does speed things up?

Sir J. Eden

This is a matter for the Post Office which is planning its trials to discover the best system for this country.

Mr. Stainton

For the general education of the House, can my right hon. Friend the Minister explain what is meant by push-button field trials?

Sir J. Eden

It is an attempt to decide whether it would be easier for my hon. Friend to press a knob than to turn a dial.