§ 11. Mr. McCrindleasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications when he expects subscriber trunk dialling exchanges to be in use in every town with a population of more than 25,000.
§ Mr. ChatawayThe Post Office tells me that S.T.D. facilities have now been provided for 92 per cent. of telephone customers and the remainder should have them by the end of 1974.
§ Mr. McCrindleDoes my right hon. Friend realise that my Question refers to populations in excess of 25,000 and that Brentwood, in my constituency, with a population of more than 50,000, not only does not have subscriber trunk dialling but is constantly told that it will be later and later before it gets it? Does my right hon. Friend realise that the inhabitants are getting tired of the Post Office blaming contractors and the contractors blaming the Post Office, and is 387 there not an opportunity for the Minister to knock a few heads together?
§ Mr. ChatawayThere has been difficulty in adapting the crossbar exchange system to local needs and there has in consequence been considerable delay. I am told that S.T.D. will be provided for Brentwood in late 1973.
§ Mr. RichardWill the right hon. Gentleman recognise that for the next generation of telephone equipment the policy and investment decisions which will have to be made by the Post Office, for example in relation to T.X.E.4, are matters which we on this side of the House would wish to be discussed publicly before a decision is taken? The amount of capital investment involved will be extremely large and it would be wrong if that decision were taken otherwise than in as public a way as possible.
§ Mr. ChatawayI entirely accept that. As I have made clear in previous exchanges, the Post Office does not yet consider that it is in a position to decide which exchange system, or which combination of exchange systems, it requires for the next period. Before that happens I should need to come to the House for new borrowing powers and this would give an occasion for debating the matter.