§ 5. Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he is satisfied with the current telephone service between Great Britain and the other EEC member countries; and whether he will give a general direction to the Post Office to improve the service.
§ Sir J. EdenThe standard of the overseas telephone service is the responsibility of the Post Office. I know that it is anxious to effect improvements to it as quickly as possible. As to the second part of the Question, it would not be appropriate for me to issue a directive of this kind.
§ Mr. JohnstonSurely the Minister is not saying that he is satisfied with a situation in which overloading touches 60 per cent. at peak. Does not he agree that the fact that the situation goes back 7 to the late 1960s, when the projections had to be made, suggests that the Telephone Users Association at that time was rather better at forecasting than the Post Office? Is he satisfied that that is no longer so? Can he give users no hope of improvement before 1975?
§ Sir J. EdenIt is difficult to short-circuit the expectation of when the whole system will improve, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that neither I nor the Post Office is satisfied with the position. The hon. Gentleman correctly analysed its cause—that the growth in demand has been considerably greater than was originally expected. It is hoped to have ISD facilities at Inverness by late 1975 or early 1976.
§ Mr. Tom KingHow much is the improvement in the service dependent on the completion of Mondial House, which, from my own observation, seems to have more strikes than work carried out on it? Its building has been taking an unconscionable time.
§ Sir J. EdenMy hon. Friend is correct. The completion of Mondial House would be a considerable help in the improvement of the facilities. It is now about one and a half years behind schedule.